The head of the Government of Catalonia Pere Aragonès and the mayor of Barcelona Ada Colau refused to welcome the King of Spain Felipe VI at the opening ceremony of the World Mobile Congress (MWC), the largest event in mobile technology, which starts this Monday in the Catalan capital, reports RTVE television channel.

According to his information, a similar situation occurred a day earlier at the official welcoming dinner for MWC participants, which was held at the National Museum of Art of Catalonia. Aragonese and Colau refused to stand in the line of officials who received the king, as a sign of their rejection of the monarchy.

The Mobile World Congress, which will be held from February 27 to March 2, is a major international exhibition and conference on the latest trends in the field. Representatives from mobile operators, trade organizations and telecommunications professionals will discuss the future of the markets and the necessary strategy.

It is reported that more than one thousand speakers will speak at the event, about two thousand companies will present their products. More than 80 thousand visitors from 200 different countries are expected to take part in the conference.