The EN2 runs from north to south of Portugal, covering more than 700 kilometres between Chaves and Faro.
During his brief visit to the Douro region, President de Sousa travelled a few of the 738.5 kilometres that make up the EN2, which is the longest road in Portugal and one of the longest in Europe.
Six months ago, in November 2015, the local authorities that govern the 36 municipalities through which the road runs announced a joint, pioneering project that aims to propel the unassuming trans-regional road into a major tourist route.
The initiative is being spearheaded by Santa Marta de Penaguião council, in Vila Real, and it was in that county that locals on Monday approached President Marcelo de Sousa with the proposal of being ‘godfather’ to the project.
Santa Marta de Penaguião Mayor, Luís Machado, said the idea is “an opportunity to unite the country.”
In turn the President applauded the project and said more tourism is “always welcome, as tourism does not spoil the land, but instead adds value to it.”