Sao Tome, Sept. 3, 2026 (Lusa) - Prime Minister Luís Montenegro said on Thursday that Portugal and Sao Tome and Príncipe are preparing a summit between the two countries and emphasised that relations between Portugal and Sao Tome are characterised by a high level of cooperation and closeness.
Carlos Vila Nova was sworn in today, for the second time, as president of Sao Tome and Príncipe, at a ceremony in the National Assembly attended by several foreign heads of state and government.
Attending the ceremony were the prime minister of Portugal, Luís Montenegro, the Presidents of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, and of Gabon, Brice Cloraire Olingui Nguema, and the Heads of Government of Mozambique, Maria Benvinda Delfina Levi, of Equatorial Guinea, Manuel Osa Nsue Nsua, and of Morocco, Aziz Akhannouch.
Speaking to journalists, the Portuguese prime minister noted that he has been in talks with the São Toméan authorities to «organise a bilateral summit».
«A summit at which we will discuss deepening our current cooperation at various levels, as well as measures to encourage investment by Portuguese companies in Sao Tome and Príncipe,» stated Luís Montenegro.
On the diplomatic front, the Portuguese prime minister emphasised that cooperation with Sao Tome and Príncipe has been «very close».
«We are here today for the inauguration of President Carlos Vila Nova. The Portuguese government is committed to continuing to nurture this relationship, which is characterised by great closeness and strong cooperation. It is a relationship in which we are committed to the future of Sao Tome and Príncipe,» he emphasised.
Luís Montenegro went on to point out that Portugal has been cooperating with Sao Tome and Príncipe «from a financial perspective» and in various sectors, such as education, health and energy.
«And we will continue to do so,» he said, before referring to the historical ties between the two member states of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP).
«From a bilateral perspective, there are Portuguese people living in Sao Tome and Príncipe, and there are Sao Tomeans living in Portugal. There are trade links and economic interests that intersect, and which we also wish to boost,» he noted.
From a multilateral perspective, the prime minister emphasised that Portugal and Sao Tome and Príncipe are «united within the CPLP».
«We are united within various international organisations, always sharing a strong commonality of principles and values. As such, there is a whole context that motivates and drives us to strengthen our relationship and our cooperation,» he added.
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