Spanish King and Queen Visit Egypt

King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía of Spain officially visited Egypt from February 4th to February 6th. The last two visits were made in 1977 and 1997. The Spanish king was there to attest the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Spain and Egypt. Spain has corresponding agreements with Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria. In one of their first engagements, King Juan Carlos spoke at a reception within the Hotel Sofitel. Before 700 attendees, the monarch acknowledged the work and cooperation culturally and educationally between the Institute Cervantes in Cairo and Alexandria and the Egyptian Institute of Islamic Studies in Spain. Amidst their packed agenda, Sofía visited the pyramid of Saqqara and the Children's Cancer Hospital in Cairo. The king and queen also visited Darb Al-Ahmar and the Library of Alexandria, their last stop before returning to Spain.

Photo: REUTERS/ Asmaa Waguih (EGYPT)