The first Egyptian-Portuguese joint committee meetings kicked off on Thursday morning at the foreign ministry headquarters in Cairo under the co-chairmanship of the Egyptian and Portuguese foreign ministers.

During the meetings, Egypt and Portugal signed five memorandums of understanding and agreements in the fields of tourism, youth, and sports, international archiving and air services.

Such meetings come within the framework of the strong push given to Egyptian-Portuguese relations after the visit made by Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El Sisi to Lisbon in November which was the first to be made by an Egyptian president in 24 years.

Egyptian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said that during the meetings, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry reviewed Egypt's economic development and social programs as well as promising investment opportunities available for the Portuguese side.

Shoukry pointed out to Egypt's national mega projects in which the Portuguese side would be able to take part. Such contribution would help in increasing the Portuguese investments in Egypt and doubling trading between both countries which has reached about 181 million euros.

Egyptian and Portuguese foreign ministers also discussed Egypt's relations with the European Union (EU) in addition to challenges facing Egypt in implementing its economic reform strategy as well as regional and international efforts to counter terrorism, Abu Zeid pointed out.

Both sides also tackled a number of key regional issues topped by situations in Libya and Syria in addition to the latest developments of the Palestinian issue especially after Egypt's success in achieving the Palestinian reconciliation recently, Abu Zeid noted.

ِAs well, they mulled the issue of illegal immigration and means to counter it within the framework of Euro-Mediterranean cooperation, Abu Zeid stated.

Source : Mena