President sabdel Fatah al-Sisi (R) and his Portuguese counterpart De Sousa in the presidential palace in Cairo- press photoPresident Sisi (R) and his Portuguese counterpart de Sousa (L) shake hands after witnessing the signature of a number of bilateral agreement- press photoPresident Sisi (L) receives his Portuguese counterpart de Sousa (R) at the presidential palace in Cairo on Thursday- press photoCAIRO – 12 April 2018: Egypt and Portugal affirmed their cooperation in issues of mutual concern, including fighting terrorism, organized crimes, and illegal migration, said President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi in a press conference with his Portuguese counterpart Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa on Thursday in Cairo.President Sisi received de Sousa in Ittahdyia Palace, where they held a closed meeting. Both leaders discussed the latest developments in the war-stricken countries of Syria and Libya.“Egypt adopted a comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy against this abhorrent phenomenon,” Sisi said, adding that both leaders tackled the Egyptian-European cooperation.Sisi and de Sousa witnessed the signing of a number of trade Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs), including investments in the Suez Canal Corridor.The Portuguese president hailed Egypt’s role in countering terrorism on the national and international levels, and in combating illegal migration. He also congratulated Sisi for being reelected for a second term.De Sousa is paying a two-day visit to Egypt to discuss the enhancement of economic relations via signing economic agreements. This is the first visit for a Portuguese president to Egypt in 24 years. De Sousa was elected as president in 2016.De Sousa is expected to meet with Al-Azhar Grand Imam Ahmed el-Tayyeb, Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria and Parliament Speaker Ali Abdel Aal.

Source: Egypt Today April 12, 2018 13:20 UTC