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Former Portugal's PM Guterres receives honorary degree by University of Coimbra

Xinhua, May 23, 2016 Adjust font size:

Former Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Guterres, the country's candidate for the job of UN secretary general, was awarded an honorary degree on Sunday by the University of Coimbra.

Guterres highlighted education's vital role and said he was pleased that his candidacy for the UN top job has not caused negative reactions.

He also noted that more opportunities must be created for refugees, adding that at least 1 million asylum seekers should be accepted every year.

Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, among other officials, attended the ceremony.

Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa referred Guterres as a "great leader with strong vision."

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon will end his term at the end of this year. He visited Portugal earlier this month for meetings with officials including Costa and Foreign Minister Augusto Santos Silva.

The Portuguese government nominated Guterres in January, citing his political career and international experience.

Guterres was the country's prime minister from 1995 to 2002. Endit