State visit to Luxembourg by the President of the Republic of Cabo Verde, José Maria Neves, and his wife, Débora Katisa Carvalho - Third day

Thursday 25 May 2023

On 25 May, the presidential couple, accompanied by HRH the Grand Duke, visited the pumping station of the Société électrique de l'Our (SEO) in Vianden, one of the largest power stations in Europe. In the presence of the Minister for Energy, Claude Turmes, the Chairman of SEO, Georges Reding, the Director, Luc Reinig, and the Mayor of Vianden, Claude Tonino, they visited the control centre and the underground cavern housing the 9 horizontal hydroelectric units, and were given explanations on the operation of the plant and the electricity produced and consumed.

The Lycée technique d'Ettelbrück, which has a long tradition in the field of renewable energies and environmental sciences, welcomed the Minister for Energy, Claude Turmes, and his counterpart from Caboverde, Alexandre Dias Monteiro, through its Director, Fränk Ries. The ministers had the opportunity to present renewable energy projects in Cabo Verde and Luxembourg to the school's students, discuss climate and energy issues and visit the Square of renewable energy.

The official programme also included a visit to the Ecole d'hôtellerie et de tourisme du Luxembourg (EHTL) in Diekirch. The Luxembourg Head of State, his wife and HRH the Grand Duke were welcomed by Claude Meisch, Minister for National Education, Children and Youth, Lex Delles, Minister for Tourism, the Director of the EHTL, Michel Lanners, the Deputy Director, Sylvie Pretti, and the Mayor of Diekirch, Claude Thill. They had the opportunity to discover many of the EHTL's current and future projects and to visit the practical section: individual kitchen, dishwashing, urban farming, brigade kitchen and pastry kitchen.

The visit was followed by a lunch hosted by the EHTL in the school's application restaurant. Students prepared and served the revisited Caboverdian menu and put their skills into practice.

The state visit ended in the early afternoon of Thursday 25 May with the traditional farewell ceremony in front of the Grand Ducal Palace, where the presidential couple and HRH the Grand Duke bade farewell to the Luxembourg authorities and delegations

The presidential couple extended their stay in Luxembourg for a private visit on Thursday afternoon

José Maria Neves and his wife accepted the invitation of the City of Luxembourg to attend the unveiling of the sculpture "Sodade", a work symbolising 60 years of friendship between Luxembourg and Cabo Verde, offered by the City of Luxembourg to the Cabo Verdean Community, in the presence of HRH the Grand Duke.

At the end of the day, a meeting between the Presidential couple and the Cabo Verdean community took place at the Cultural Centre of Hollerich, in the presence of HRH the Grand Duke.

 

Press release by the Information and Press Service