Ambassador Lebedev with Prime Minister Spencer

Prime Minister the Hon. Baldwin Spencer on Monday met the new Russian Ambassador to the Eastern Caribbean His Excellency 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 Minister 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. (Ends)

Digital Photos by Maurice F. Merchant