Sisi, de Sousa talk fighting terrorism, organized crime, illegal migration

CAIRO – 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.


President Sisi (R) and his Portuguese counterpart de Sousa (L) shake hands after witnessing the signature of a number of bilateral agreement- press photo


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.


President Sisi (L) receives his Portuguese counterpart de Sousa (R) at the presidential palace in Cairo on Thursday- press photo

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. He is also scheduled to attend the Egyptian-Portuguese Business Forum on Thursday, with a number of Egyptian and Portuguese businessmen.

On the sidelines of his meeting, the Portuguese president will take a tour in Al-Azhar Mosque, accompanied by Tayyeb.

After his tour, he will give a lecture highlighting the relations between east and west, and discussing the ways to enhance the values of coexistence and dialogue between different cultures and religions, referring to Portugal as a role model for achieving coexistence among its community components.