On Tuesday next, 1 June, Portugal will be inaugurating the EllaLink cable in Sines, the first direct, high-speed connection by submarine cable between Europe and Latin America, believed to be an essential infrastructure for digital interconnection and data transmission between the two continents.

The inauguration of EllaLink, scheduled for 10h50 (local time), will be presided over by Portuguese Prime Minister, António Costa, with the remote participations of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the
European Parliament, David Sassoli.

The inauguration, taking place under the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union, will be in hybrid format, from Sines, where the EllaLink cable assuring the connection to Fortaleza in Brazil will be anchored.

This is a strategic moment for the Portuguese Presidency, reaffirming the relevance of Portugal and its geographic position for the technological and economic expansion of Europe. During the event, the Declaration of Lisbon, which includes a set of digital principles, assurances and rights, will also be presented, with the aim of promoting and protecting the values of the European Union in the digital area.

Two-day event to promote the digital transformation in the EU

The inaugural ceremony is part of the “Leading the Digital Decade” event on 1 and 2 June, organised by the PPEU and the European Commission, which is aimed at promoting broad discussion around the digital transformation in the European Union and the 2030 Targets.

The Portuguese Minister of State for the Economy and the Digital Transition, Pedro Siza Vieira, and the European Commissioner for the Internal Market, Thierry Breton, will be taking part in the opening session, scheduled for 09h00 (local time). Also taking part in the event will be the Portuguese Minister for Infrastructure and Housing, Pedro Nuno Santos, and the first day of business will be closed by the Vice-President of the European Commission, Margrethe Vestager, the French Secretary of State for the Digital Transition, Cédric O, and the Portuguese Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education, Manuel Heitor. The Portuguese Minister for Modernisation of the State and Public Administration, Alexandra Leitão, will open the proceedings on 2 June.