Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has thanked Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el Sisi for Egypt's strong support to Portugal's candidate for the UN secretary general post Antonio Guterres.

The Portuguese president described the Egyptian support as "important and friendly."

Addressing a joint press conference with Sisi at the presidential palace in Lisbon on Monday, de Sousa said he accepted Sisi's invitation to visit Egypt.

He said he is upbeat to receive the Egyptian leader in Portugal, adding the Portuguese people are happy about Sisi's visit to their country. 

Portugal and Egypt share viewpoints regarding different issues, de Sousa said. 

He noted talks tackled "difficult" challenges facing the two countries, including the economy, social justice and human rights.

Portugal had a former experiment in conducting negotiations with the International Monetary Fund, he said, adding we know what talks with IMF mean in order to boost the production wheel, taking into account social rights and human rights challenges.

Portugal is following up developments in Egypt, he said, adding Egypt has an important geopolitical location in the Mediterranean Sea area.

Portugal and Egypt are concerned with the issues of refugees and illegal immigration, according to de Sousa. 

Portugal and Egypt are interested in boosting peacemaking in the Middle East region, he said, adding Sisi's visit to Portugal will enhance bilateral relations in all domains.

Source: MENA