The newly appointed President of the European Council, António Costa, will visit Florence on Thursday, May 8, as part of a two-day trip that also includes Strasbourg. His presence in the Tuscan capital is linked to The State of the Union, the annual conference organized by the European University Institute (EUI).
This year’s edition of the conference, taking place from May 2 to 4 and culminating with high-level speeches on May 8, gathers European leaders, academics, and civil society to discuss the challenges and future of the European Union. Costa is scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the event, marking one of his first public appearances since taking office in April 2025.
The former Portuguese prime minister is expected to focus on the role of the European Union in a rapidly changing global landscape, ahead of the upcoming European Parliament elections in June.
The State of the Union conference has become a key annual moment in Florence’s international calendar, attracting global attention and reaffirming the city’s role as a hub for European dialogue and policymaking.
On the same day, the President will also tour the facility of Leonardo in Campi Bisenzio, just outside of Florence. As one of the largest defence contractors in the world, Leonardo represents a crucial player in the European defence industry. In particular, the site in Campi Bisenzio specialises in three key sectors: space, defence and cyber & security.
During the visit, the President will gain insights into the site’s advanced technologies, and engage in discussions about the challenges facing the defence sector in Europe and how it can contribute to the EU’s competitiveness and reindustrialization.
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