Amsterdam : Khaled Bakdash
The President of the European Council, António Costa, will be in Strasbourg, France on 7 May 2025 to participate in the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe organised by the European Parliament.
President Costa will then travel to Florence, Italy to deliver a keynote speech at the European University Institute (EUI) on 8 May 2025 and to visit a facility of Leonardo, a leading Italian multinational company specialised in aerospace, defence and security. This visit reflects EU’s commitment to strengthening European defence as well as boosting EU’s competitiveness.
| “Strengthening European defence and fostering innovation in key industries is essential for our collective security and prosperity. Leonardo is a prime example of European excellence, and I look forward to seeing firsthand their cutting-edge technologies that contribute to making Europe more secure, resilient and competitive on the global stage.” |
| — António Costa, President of the European Council |
As part of the event ‘European peace and security amidst global turmoil’ organised by the EUI on 8 May 2025 to mark the end of World War II in Europe, President Costa will address researchers, students and the press. His keynote speech will focus on peace and security in Europe at a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty.
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.
Press opportunities
President Costa will take part in a Q&A session following his keynote speech at the EUI and will hold a short press briefing at the end of his visit to the Leonardo facility in Campi Bisenzio. Journalists and media representatives interested in attending must register by contacting the addresses below.
