Equatorial Guinea–Russia relations explained

Equatorial Guinea–Russia relations refer to the foreign relations between Russia and Equatorial Guinea.

History

In the 1970s, the Soviet Union and Equatorial Guinea signed numerous agreements, mostly relating to fishing rights. In the 1970s, Communist countries moved in and the USSR concluded with Equatorial Guinea the notorious fishing agreement which gave them exclusive rights in the area. In return the Soviets gave Equatorial Guinea 4,000 tons of what one contemporary observed to be very inferior and even putrefying fish.[1]

In the 1970s a surveillance base set up by the Spanish during the colonial period on top of the volcanic mountain Pico Basilé was taken over by Soviet intelligence services. From 1974 to 1978, USSR was the sole supplier of arms to Equatorial Guinea.[2]

Gazprom has been involved in recent gas exploration.[3]

Notes and References

  1. http://www.opensourceguinea.org/2013/10/annual-review-of-equatorial-guinea-for.html Annual Review of Equatorial Guinea for the Year 1979’
  2. Book: Babbitt, James. SOVIET ARMS TRANSFERS TO SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA. WHAT ARE THEY WORTH IN THE UNITED NATIONS?. 1989. 58.
  3. http://www.gazprom.com/about/production/reserves/ Gas and oil reserves