“Relations between Portugal and the United States, and between the Azores and the United States, have never been better,” said Devin Nunes, speaking to journalists in Angra do Heroísmo on Terceira Island, on the sidelines of a conference organised by Azorean MEP Paulo Nascimento Cabral on the archipelago’s role in transatlantic relations.

The former Republican congressman, of Azorean descent, cited examples of strengthening relations between the two countries: the increase in flight connections by the US airline United Airlines to the Azores and the installation of submarine cables linking the US and Portugal that pass through the archipelago.

“All this began over a decade ago. Some of the work we did in the past will now have a major impact on the Azores and Portugal,” he pointed out, referring to the undersea cables.

Devin Nunes acknowledged the role of Lajes Air Base, located on Terceira Island, in the defence of the Atlantic and in cooperation between Portugal and the United States, but argued that the country could also excel in developing military technology.

“Portugal is a small country, but it occupies an important and strategic location. I do not make decisions on behalf of Portugal. I can only offer advice, and they may choose to accept it or not. But I think it is difficult for Portugal, given its size, to have an army, navy, air force and space force… What Portugal can do is utilise its best entrepreneurs to produce things that will create jobs, ingenuity, innovation and naval capability, and which will help Portugal protect its resources,” he noted.

The Portuguese descendant highlighted the company Douro Azul, run by businessman Mário Ferreira, and the drone company Tekever, as examples of entrepreneurship and “incredible technology”.

“If Portugal has naval and drone capabilities, it makes it easier for the United States to forge partnerships and work with someone who has a strategic location and cutting-edge technology,” he emphasised.

When asked about the need to review the Cooperation and Defence Agreement between Portugal and the United States, Devin Nunes said he was not aware of the “changes being considered”, but again highlighted the progress made in air links and the laying of submarine cables.

The Republican stressed that Portuguese-American politicians continue to wield “very strong” influence in the US Congress.

“Ten years ago we had real problems with the Obama administration over what it was doing with this base. I warned Congress that it was a bad decision. And now we know why this base and the Azores are so important,” he said, referring to the US military drawdown at Lajes Air Base, which took place in 2015.