Lisbon, July 14 (RHC)-- The First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, began today the days of activities of his state visit to Portugal.

The Presidency reported on Twitter that the Cuban leader was received by his Portuguese counterpart Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa at the Empire Square in Lisbon, where the official welcoming ceremony was held. During the ceremony, the notes of both national anthems were heard and 21 artillery salvos were fired from the garden of the Plaza del Imperio.

Díaz-Canel and the delegation accompanying him placed a wreath at the tomb of the poet Luis Vas de Camões, located inside the Jerónimos Monastery.

The Cuban head of state toured the monastery and signed the visitors' book in which he thanked the kindness and wisdom of those who accompanied him on his tour. He also stated that it was a privilege to visit this historic and cultural site of humanity.

The President of the Republic of Cuba arrived in Portugal on Thursday, in response to an invitation from his counterpart Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, for a state visit that will last until July 16.

Accompanying the dignitary are Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, Cuban Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Ana Teresita González Fraga, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment.