Above: Antigua PM Baldwin Spencer (UN Photo/Michelle Poiré)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Antigua Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer held talks this week with Dr Irakli Khintba, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic Abkahzia, which is seeking recognition as a state.

Abkhazia is a disputed territory recognized by six states, including Russia, Nicaragua and Venezuela. It is claimed by the government of Georgia, and the majority of the world’s governments, as part of Georgia’s territory.

The talks focused on Abkhazia’s bid for recognition from Antigua and Barbuda.

According to the Prime Minister’s office, Spencer expressed appreciation to the Deputy Foreign Minister for his visit and “acknowledged the challenges” encountered by the Republic in its quest for recognition.

Spencer pledged to continue dialogue on the issue with Abkhazian officials.

The territory was recognized as a state most recently by Tuvalu in September 2011.