Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, speaking at a hotel in Giza on the outskirts of Cairo, after attending the inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum at the invitation of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, shared insights on discussions during the ceremony. He talked with King Felipe VI of Spain about a recent incident on the Guadiana River.
“He shared a similar experience in Spain, also very recent, emphasizing the concerning developments in that area concerning drug trafficking,” stated the Portuguese head of state, referencing a high-speed boat incident that resulted in the death of a military officer from the GNR.
Rebelo de Sousa noted that the inauguration near the Giza Pyramids also provided an opportunity to discuss various topics, such as “conversations with the Dutch regarding their election results, which halted radicalism growth and instability, paving the way for forming a coalition government.”
He highlighted the chance to engage with familiar state leaders, saying, “It’s a chance before and after the inauguration to connect with heads of state who know Portugal well, have visited, and wish to return,” adding, “They wanted me to return their visits, but I explained it would be my successor who would visit.”
“These meetings are very useful, as they are rare occasions to gather leaders from all continents with the time for multiple bilateral discussions. Organizing such meetings is only otherwise feasible at the United Nations,” he emphasized.
The ceremony welcomed numerous international dignitaries, including the kings of Spain and Belgium, presidents of Germany, Palestine, Croatia, and Colombia, the Prince of Monaco, and prime ministers of the Netherlands, Greece, and Luxembourg, as well as queens of Jordan and Denmark.
Rebelo de Sousa described the newly inaugurated museum, positioned near the Giza Pyramids and considered the largest dedicated to a civilization, as a “very modern” architectural project showcasing “unique, exceptional pieces in an unlimited space,” narrating “Egypt’s history, open to the world, explaining its ancient heritage.”
“This is a stark contrast to the old museum, which housed 75,000 items that were quite overcrowded. Here, the arrangement of pieces by time, significance, and treatment is the most advanced I’ve seen,” he remarked.
The President mentioned the museum’s significance for Egypt, “demonstrating its historical and contemporary global influence.”
“The inauguration was postponed several times to avoid coinciding with the Middle East situation, showing solidarity toward resolving the Palestinian issue and seeking a peace solution, with Egypt asserting a unique stance,” he stated.
Rebelo de Sousa also highlighted Egypt’s role “in the Middle East, making peace, retrieving the remains of deceased hostages, essentially guiding negotiations alongside Arab countries” and in the global context, asserting itself as a multilateralist.
“This assertion of Egypt is truly impressive,” he concluded.
