Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi discussed on Sunday boosting mutual cooperation with Canada during talks with visiting Canadian Senate Speaker George Furey.

During the meeting, El-Sisi discussed Egypt’s efforts to counter terrorism and extremism and reform religious discourse, Egyptian presidency spokesman Bassam Rady said.

El-Sisi said he is looking for Canada’s support for Egypt’s economic and social reform programme.

He also expressed appreciation for what he said is the good treatment Egyptians receive in Canada, saying this has helped them succeed and effectively fit into society there, the spokesman added.

He highlighted that his administration gives special focus to women’s empowerment, referring to the recent constitution amendments that allocate at least 25 percent of the parliament’s seats to women.

Earlier in the day, Furey held bilateral talks with Egyptian parliament speaker Aly Abde-Aal to discuss strengthening parliamentary ties between the two nations.