Russian foreign minister to visit Serbia in February

Russian foreign minister to visit Serbia in February

Lavrov accepted the invitation during a meeting in Moscow with Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic, who is a member of President Aleksandar Vucic's delegation.

Dacic said that Belgrade expects the Russian minister on February 21 and 22 and that the visit will be dedicated to marking 180 years since Serbia and Russia established diplomatic relations.

He also told Lavrov that Serbia was "firmly committed to further develop political relations with Russia on the basis of strategic partnership and the willingness of both sides to deepen them in all areas," the Serbian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

It was assessed during the meeting that relations between Serbia and Russia are on a high level, and that cooperation is developing in all directions. Lavrov and Dacic expressed "satisfaction with the achieved dynamics of high and top levels meetings," the statement said.

Dacic expressed his gratitude for Russia's firm and consistent support to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia and added that it was very important for Serbia to continue to exchange information with Russia regularly and coordinate activities in international organizations on the issue of Kosovo and Metohija.

Dacic also said that in the coming period Serbia will direct its attention toward strengthening economic cooperation with Russia in order use benefit provided from the free trade agreement.