The King and Queen of Spain will arrive this evening for a three-day official visit to the DR. They will make the stopover en route to Panama where they will attend the Iberoamerican Summit. This is the monarchs’ second more than 24-hour sojourn to the DR. They previously had visited for two days (31 May-1 June 1976) when they were guests of former President Joaquín Balaguer. In addition to that visit, they have made several short technical stops in the country. Their announced schedule is as follows: Tuesday, 14 November 10 pm. Arrival to Las Americas International. Wednesday, 15 November 10 am. National Palace activity. Welcome by President Mejía. Queen Sofia will be decorated with the Gold Cross, Duarte, Sánchez and Mella Order. King Juan Carlos received the highest decoration when he visited in 1976. King Juan Carlos will present President Hipólito Mejía with the Isabel la Católica decoration. 11 am. Talks between the King and President Mejía. 11:35 am. Visit to the Altar de la Patria, where the tombs of forefathers of the nation are located, for a floral offering. 12 noon. Visit to the former Palacio Consistorial. Declaration of the monarchs as distinguished visitors to Santo Domingo. Handing of the key to the city. The King will speak. Private luncheon. 5 pm. Visit to the National Congress. President of the Senate and King of Spain will speak. 8 pm. Arrival to the National Palace. Taking of the official photograph commemorating the visit. President Mejía and King of Spain will speak. Thursday, 16 November 9:45 am. Meeting with the King and the board of directors of Union Fenosa (major investor in the energy sector in the DR) at the Hotel Embajador. 10:30 am. Visit of the monarchs to the Supreme Court of Justice. 11:15 am. Reception for the Spanish community in the DR at the Casa de España. 12:30 am. Hotel Melia Santo Domingo meeting with the Sociedad Benefica Pro Emigrantes Españoles. 1 pm. Luncheon with businessmen offered by the King. Words by the King and President Mejía. 1 pm. Visit by the Queen and First Lady to the Colonial City. Private luncheon. Press conference President Mejía. 5 pm. Visit by the monarchs to the Fortaleza Ozama in the Colonial City. Photography exhibition of the new street lights system of the Colonial City, a project sponsored by the Spanish government. Stroll along Calle Las Damas. 5:45 pm. Visit to the Museum of Modern Art. Exhibition on the influence of Spanish painters in Dominican art of the 20th century. Visit to exhibitions sponsored by the Generalitat Valenciana of Juan Genovés and Ramón Calduch. 8:30 pm. Reception in honor of President and First Lady offered by the monarchs of Spain at the residence of the ambassador of Spain. Friday, 17 November. 9:45 am Farewell ceremony. Departure to Panama.
