27.1 C
Delhi
Saturday, October 5, 2024

Russia set to gain access to Atlantic Ocean port – media

Moscow reportedly plans to ratify an agreement on military cooperation with an island nation in the Gulf of Guinea

Russia is poised to gain access to a naval port in the Atlantic Ocea, through a bilateral military cooperation agreement with the island nation of Sao Tome and Principe, located off the west coast of Africa. 

A bill on the issue has been approved by a Russian government commission on legislative activity, RTVI reported on Monday, citing a source familiar with the discussions.

The draft treaty will be put to a vote in the State Duma, Russia’s lower house of parliament. The first deputy chairman of the Duma’s Committee on International Affairs, Alexey Chepa, explained that ratifying the pact will allow Russian ships to be stationed in the Gulf of Guinea.

“Today, a large number of ports where our ships could come in for refuelling are closed. Therefore, opportunities to find friendly ports significantly facilitate the activities of our fleet,” Chepa told RTVI.

Read more

Ships of the Russian Pacific Fleet begin the strategic exercise 'Ocean-2024' in the Pacific and Arctic Oceans, the Mediterranean, Caspian and Baltic Seas.
Russia holding biggest strategic naval drills in decades

Under the agreement between Russia and the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, which was initially signed in St. Petersburg in April, the two sides will exchange information and experience in the field of military education, and cooperate in providing engineering support for troops, combating piracy and terrorism, and providing military logistical support. 

Cooperation is also expected to include joint exercises and other activities between the two countries’ armed forces.

The draft document says the agreement will last for an indefinite period, and that the adoption of the treaty will not require additional funds from the federal budget.

September 24, 2024 at 04:27PM
RT

Most Popular Articles