"We are independent, sovereign, no one will tell us how we should relate with Russia", declared Patrice Trovoada, in relation to the controversy generated around a technical-military agreement signed with Russia, and that had not been disclosed by the executive.

The signing of the agreement "for an indefinite period" was reported by the official Russian news agency Sputnik, which revealed that the agreement was signed in Saint Petersburg on April 24 and started to be implemented on May 5.

According to the Russian press, the two parties agreed to cooperate in the areas of joint training of troops, recruitment of armed forces, use of weapons and military equipment, logistics, exchange of experiences and information within the fight against the ideology of extremism and international terrorism, education and training of personnel and foresees the participation in military exercises.

On Thursday, the Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paulo Rangel, said that Portugal expressed to São Tomé and Príncipe "surprise" and "apprehension" about the technical-military cooperation agreement signed with Russia.

"I think there is no reason for concern. It is a normal agreement, usual, which exists with several countries and especially Portugal has no reason to be concerned", reacted today the Prime Minister of São Tomé, stressing that the archipelago has an "old" and "deep" cooperation with Portugal.

Patrice Trovoada stated that, in relation to the war between Russia and Ukraine, São Tomé and Príncipe "was very clear" about its positioning and recalled that, in one of the United Nations Assemblies, he himself gave "power of attorney to Portugal to vote on behalf of São Tomé and Príncipe against Russia".

"Between Portugal and São Tomé and Príncipe things are going well and, as they say, in love it is not just saying I love you, but we have already given enough proof of love", said the Head of Government of São Tomé.

Patrice Trovoada assured that the agreement is in force, as announced by the Russian press, since May 05, but will follow the internal procedures for its implementation.

"On our side, things are clear, they are calm and it is not an agreement that deserves so much controversy. An agreement is signed, it is in force, the agreement will then go through a series of procedures to enter into force, so the controversy is not there", said Patrice Trovoada.

On Wednesday, the President of the Liberation Movement of São Tomé and Príncipe/Social Democratic Party (MLSTP/PSD), leader of the São Tomé opposition, criticized "the secrecy" with which the Government signed the military agreement with Russia, predicting consequences in the relationship with the European Union and the United States.

"This is an agreement that at no time did we hear any statement from the Council of Ministers alluding to. An agreement of this magnitude, in a very sensitive area and considering the current world context, I think it requires interaction between the various sovereign bodies, therefore the Government, the Presidency of the Republic and knowledge of the National Assembly, for approval and its ratification by the President of the Republic", defended the leader of the São Tomé opposition, Jorge Bom Jesus.

Leia Também: Acordo com a Rússia? Portugal manifestou "estranheza" a São Tomé (Portuguese version)