Slovenian President Borut Pahor said Monday his country and Egypt agree that peaceful solutions are key to the settlement of all disputes.

Taking part in a gallery for designs of Italian Slovenian architect Antonio Lasciac at the Egyptian Opera House, Pahor hailed the atmosphere of friendliness and openness that prevailed in his meeting with President Abdel Fattah El Sisi.

President Sisi became my friend, despite it was our first meeting, the Slovenian president said.

He expressed the hope his current visit to Cairo would open a further page to the two countries' distinguished relations and their economic and political cooperation.

Slovenia experienced hard times and faced an economic crisis, as well as Egypt, but the two countries are on the right path towards achieving economic and social recovery, Pahor said.

Slovenia considers Egypt a friend in Africa and the Middle East, he added.

Pahor said he is happy to be the first Slovenian president to visit Cairo since his country's independence in 1991, noting that he had paid several visits to Egypt, including one as a prime minister in 2009.

Separately, Pahor told the Egyptian television that he would tell Slovenia's partners in the European Union that Egypt enjoyed political and security stability, as well as promising investment opportunities.

Source: MENA