Lisbon, December 3 (RHC)-- Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs Augusto Santos Silva visited the Cuban embassy in Lisbon, where he signed the Book of Condolences for Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro.

On behalf of his country's government and people, the Portuguese diplomat expressed both their sorrow and sympathy with the Cuban people and highlighted Fidel's significant contribution to improving relations between the Caribbean state and the European nation.

Fidel visited Portugal twice, first in 1998 to attend the 8th Ibero-American Summit in Porto City and then again, in 2001, as part of an international tour.

During his second visit in 2001, Fidel was received by then Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio, and the country's Prime Minister António Guterres.

Signaling improved relations between Cuba and Portugal, the Portuguese minister of foreign affairs visited Cuba last June, during which he was received by Vice President Miguel Díaz-Canel and Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez.

More recently, Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa paid an official visit to Cuba in October, during which he held talks with President Raúl Castro and with Fidel. Upon learning of the Cuban leader's passing on Friday, November 25th, the Portuguese head of state sent a message of condolences to his Cuban counterpart.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday the Assembly of the Republic, the Portuguese Parliament, observed a minute of silence as tribute to Fidel Castro, and also passed two resolutions, expressing deep sympathies and condolences to the Cuban government and people.

Portuguese Parliament President Jose Rodrigues Ferro and the leader of the Friendship with Cuba Parliamentary group, Philippe Goffin, sent messages of condolences to the Cuban diplomatic mission in Lisbon.