Beyond the vast importance of the topics discussed, the IX Euro-Mediterranean Summit has also become a premium platform for promoting Alicante on the international stage. Casa Mediterráneo played a central role, hosting a luncheon where the venue and host took the spotlight. Local cuisine was crafted by renowned chefs such as Susi Díaz and Pablo Montoro, offering separate menus that captivated heads of state and their delegations, with the ambiance powered entirely by local province companies.
Following the morning meeting at Euipo, lunch was served. A heavy police presence and a cordon around the Casa Mediterráneo complex kept the area secure, with access restricted to invited delegates. The arrival of the head of government caused a brief delay as Consell’s president, Ximo Puig, arrived later than expected. If Sánchez had not slowed his movement, he would have been greeted by Luis Barcala, Alicante’s mayor at the time, who belonged to a different party.
From there, the general manager of Casa Mediterráneo, Andrés Perelló, welcomed the remaining heads of state and government. Among them were Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković; Janez Janša from Slovenia; Kyriakos Mitsotakis of Greece; Robert Abela of Malta; Antonio Costa of Portugal; and French President Emmanuel Macron. Also present were Antonio Tajani, Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy, representing Giorgia Meloni, who was absent due to illness. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Charles Michel, President of the European Council, joined the gathering. The President of Cyprus, Nikos Anastasiades, did not attend the lunch because his delegation arrived later to participate in the working meeting in Ciudad de la Luz.
At Casa Mediterráneo, Enric Morera, president of the Valencian Parliament; Pilar Bernabé, Government delegate in the Community; Araceli Poblador, the sub-delegate in Alicante; and Ximo Puig along with Luis Barcala were in attendance.
world menus
Inside the building, heads of state enjoyed a menu prepared by Michelin-starred chef Susi Díaz, featuring a fully representative rendition of the Elche region through dishes from the La Finca restaurant. The tasting began with a sea urchin cream with shrimp and delicate pleats of shrimp, followed by Villena asparagus ice cream. The first course presented lacy peas with squid juice, and the second course paired sweet rice with whitebait, finished with extra virgin olive oil and pinto beans. A nod to local products and the province’s symbolism culminated in dessert: Jijona nougat ice cream enriched with chocolate sculpted into a Lady of Elche motif.
Presidents appreciated the menu, while other participants welcomed the option created by chef Pablo Montoro from Espacio Montoro in Alicante. In total, 94 guests gathered at Casa Mediterráneo, with heads of state and their delegations joined by regional and local authorities. The culinary experience was complemented by the work of provincial companies setting the scene. Carpas Gracia and Alaves, both from San Vicente del Raspeig, organized tents marking off dining zones, while Florarte provided floral centerpieces. Viveros Ferpas added a landscaped area featuring local flora such as lavender and olive trees.
Likewise, the Petrer-based Kava company furnished the dining spaces, and Hi Print from Alicante produced a large-format image by photographer Ángel Fitor depicting a jellyfish. Rafa Galán from Alicante captured official photos, and Carmencita from Novelda supplied salt mills stored in a display vault for attendees. RG oversaw electrical installations. The Alcoy-based Textile Technology Institute (Aitex) contributed a tablecloth woven from plastic bottles. Heads of state and government, along with community officials, signed a guestbook during the luncheon.
Ursula von der Leyen signed the Casa Mediterráneo book with Perelló and Sánchez present at the moment of the signature. Andrés Perelló, the event host, expressed the intent to position Alicante as a reference point in the Mediterranean, highlighting the promotion of local products and companies. He noted that the Casa Mediterráneo mission is to elevate the city and its region, thereby boosting the Valencian Community and Spain, and that the reception received warm congratulations from the leaders.
Puig underscored the positive impact of the summit on Alicante’s image and the Valencian Community’s reputation. He emphasized that the gathering provided a favorable impression of the region and its welcoming spirit. He also highlighted the discussion of energy sovereignty at the European level as a fundamental issue for the near future. The event, he added, delivered several positive inputs for the province and the community, helping to project a constructive and inviting perception of the land. Puig spoke with several presidents during lunch at Casa Mediterráneo and enjoyed the menus and the atmosphere created by the various supporting companies. A notable moment involved a photo with Antonio Tajani, Italy’s vice president and foreign minister, beside a sea-wave sculpture made from potato starch.
Andrés Perelló, reflecting on the event, talked about positioning the province of Alicante as a key reference in the Mediterranean. The goal is to showcase both the region and its products, and to convey a clear message about the identity and warmth of the land to visiting leaders and their teams. The summit, and the activities surrounding it, left a lasting impression on the participants and on those watching from home.