Antigua-Barbuda and the Russian Federation firm-up
relations
Ambassador Lebedev with Prime Minister Spencer
Photo by Maurice F. Merchant
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua: Prime Minister of
Antigua and Barbuda, Baldwin Spencer, on Monday met the new Russian Ambassador
to the Eastern Caribbean, Mr. Igor Lebedev, and held discussions on a wide
range of matters of cooperation. Ambassador
Lebedev pledged to work diligently to develop relations between Antigua and
Barbuda and the Russian Federation. He mentioned that Russian President
Vladimir Putin instructed all Russian Ambassadors to concentrate on developing
economic relations with foreign countries. He outlined that there was a
mechanism for political dialogue both at bilateral and CARICOM level. Prime
Minister Spencer and the Russian diplomat also discussed the early conclusion
of a maritime agreement between both countries. This
agreement should enhance the capacity of the Antigua and Barbuda Shipping
Register to attract vessels from the Russian Federation, or major maritime
nations. Prime Minister Spencer emphasized that Antigua and Barbuda was
looking to expand its shipping register and that formalizing the arrangement
with the Russian Federation was a step in that direction. Prime
Minister Spencer also spoke of the possibilities for the country to take up
Russian scholarships for tertiary training in various fields. He also
mentioned the possibilities for developing tourism out of Russia. Ambassador
Labedev agreed that there were good possibilities, as over one thousand
Russian tourists per annum currently visit Jamaica. United
Nations reform was also on the agenda during the meeting and Ambassador
Lebedev outlined his government’s approach to the UN Reform process and
highlighted Russia’s emphasis on multilateralism. Prime
Minster Spencer pointed out that the UN needs reform, not only at the level of
the Security Council but many of its other organs and agencies. He pointed out
that the Millennium Development Goals should be brought to the forefront of
world affairs and should be lined to the question of UN reform. Ambassador
Lebedev spoke of the relative prospects of the so called G-4 countries who are
lobbying to become permanent members of the UNSC. He was of the view that new
members would have to take on additional responsibilities as permanent
members. Ambassador Lebedev’s visit with
Prime Minister Spencer was preceded by his presentation of Credentials to
Governor General Sir James Carlisle.
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