Serbia-Russia ties "unequivocal, unconditional"

Serbian and Russian foreign ministers Vuk Jeremic and Sergei Lavrov said today that the relations between the two countries are friendly, close and improving. They also said this would be confirmed by a strategic partnership agreement to be signed in the near future. Serbia-Russia ties "unequivocal, unconditional" The agreement will be signed during Serbian President Boris Tadic's visit to Moscow, which is expected in the very near future, according to the ministers. Prime ministers Vladimir Putin and Mirko Cvetkovic should also meet before the end of the year. At a joint news conference in Belgrade after a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jeremic characterized the relations between Serbia and Russia as "comprehensive, substantial and improving." "This is a relationship of mutual friendship and unequivocal, unconditional mutual support. It is based on understanding, and in the international arena, that kind of support comes only from best friends. Today, Serbia and Russia are best friends," Jeremic assessed. According to the Serbian FM, the meeting focused on economic cooperation, energy in particular. The South Stream gas pipeline was the central topic, along with new pharmaceutical and infrastructure projects, which Prime Minister Cvetkovic will discuss in more detail with Russian Prime Minister Putin in Moscow later in the year, Jeremic said. When it comes to cultural cooperation, Days of Serbian Culture in Russia will be held in Moscow this year, while Russia will help with the fresco painting at the Temple of St Sava in Belgrade. Lavrov announced the two countries will set up a new four-year cooperation program in culture, science, education and sport. the two minister also stated that the centuries-long friendship between Serbia and Russia does not run contrary to Serbia's EU aspirations. "Serbia has been friends with Russia for hundreds of years, and I do not believe that this historical fact is in contrast to our strategic commitment to EU integration," Jeremic stressed after the meeting with Lavrov. Lavrov pointed out that the opinion that Serbia's closeness with Russia can alienate Serbia from the EU is based on an obsolete logic. "Serbia does not have to choose between East and West," Lavrov pointed out. "I believe this is an artificial juxtaposition, as according to the documents signed at the highest level between Russia and the EU, the European integration processes should be of mutual benefit to both Russia and the EU," he added. Lavrov and Jeremic also attended the unveiling of a memorial plaque dedicated to Russian architect Nikolai Krasnov, placed at the Serbian Foreign Ministry building. Lavrov and Jeremic in Belgrade today (Tanjug) Aimed against no one" The strategic partnership between Russia and Serbia is not aimed against anyone, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said ahead of his two-day tour of Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia and Slovenia. The partnership declaration is practically finished, he noted. The work on it started after the October 2009 meeting between Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his Serbian counterpart Boris Tadic and, according to Lavrov, the document contains the two countries' views on the chief issues in their relations, key problems and development tendencies in the world and the two sides' intention to work together for the benefit of the Russian and Serbian people. The Balkans is moving towards stabilization and sustainable development after a lengthy period of conflict and economic crisis, Lavrov told Pobjeda, a Montenegrin daily. Relations between neighboring countries are improving, but there is still a danger of a return of conflict, he underlined. The way to a better life in the Balkans lies in establishing new forms of cooperation, which should not cause a new form of divisions, he stated. Partners shape their cooperation themselves, and Russia is willing to better its relations with all of the Balkan countries, Lavrov noted, adding that his country was interested in seeing the situation in the region return to normal. Economy, Kosovo Ahead of Lavrov's arrival here today, reports said he would confer with Serbia's top officials on bilateral relations, economic cooperation and Kosovo. Russian news agency Itar-Tass said that the focus of attention will be the improvement of the bilateral cooperation, which has been on the upsurge in the past several years. The officials will discuss the development of the trade and economic cooperation, and the Russian Foreign Ministry pointed out that Serbia will remain Russia's biggest partner in the Western Balkan region. According to Russia's estimates, the commodity exchange between the two countries amounted to USD 1.4bn in 2010, Itar-Tass reported, adding that the work on the realization of large projects is being continued, including the construction of the Serbian section of the South Stream gas pipeline. One of the topics to be discussed is the issue of Kosovo. There is no doubt that the issue of Kosovo will be mentioned, and Serbia has Russia's unconditional and consistent support in this matter, Itar-Tass reported, referring to the statement of the Russian Foreign Ministry. As Tanjug was told earlier by the Russian embassy in Belgrade, it is possible that one of the topics of talks will be the agreement on the two countries' strategic partnership, which has been drafted and whose harmonization is underway. Lavrov is paying a visit to Serbia shortly after Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin visited Belgrade on March 23. Belgrade will be the first stop on Lavrov's mini tour which lasts until April 21, and during which he will also visit Montenegro, Macedonia and Slovenia.

Serbia-Russia ties "unequivocal, unconditional"

The agreement will be signed during Serbian President Boris Tadić's visit to Moscow, which is expected in the very near future, according to the ministers.

Prime ministers Vladimir Putin and Mirko Cvetković should also meet before the end of the year.

At a joint news conference in Belgrade after a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jeremić characterized the relations between Serbia and Russia as "comprehensive, substantial and improving."

"This is a relationship of mutual friendship and unequivocal, unconditional mutual support. It is based on understanding, and in the international arena, that kind of support comes only from best friends. Today, Serbia and Russia are best friends," Jeremić assessed.

According to the Serbian FM, the meeting focused on economic cooperation, energy in particular.

The South Stream gas pipeline was the central topic, along with new pharmaceutical and infrastructure projects, which Prime Minister Cvetković will discuss in more detail with Russian Prime Minister Putin in Moscow later in the year, Jeremić said.

When it comes to cultural cooperation, Days of Serbian Culture in Russia will be held in Moscow this year, while Russia will help with the fresco painting at the Temple of St Sava in Belgrade.

Lavrov announced the two countries will set up a new four-year cooperation program in culture, science, education and sport.

the two minister also stated that the centuries-long friendship between Serbia and Russia does not run contrary to Serbia's EU aspirations.

"Serbia has been friends with Russia for hundreds of years, and I do not believe that this historical fact is in contrast to our strategic commitment to EU integration," Jeremić stressed after the meeting with Lavrov.

Lavrov pointed out that the opinion that Serbia's closeness with Russia can alienate Serbia from the EU is based on an obsolete logic.

"Serbia does not have to choose between East and West," Lavrov pointed out.

"I believe this is an artificial juxtaposition, as according to the documents signed at the highest level between Russia and the EU, the European integration processes should be of mutual benefit to both Russia and the EU," he added.

Lavrov and Jeremić also attended the unveiling of a memorial plaque dedicated to Russian architect Nikolai Krasnov, placed at the Serbian Foreign Ministry building.

Aimed against no one"

The strategic partnership between Russia and Serbia is not aimed against anyone, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said ahead of his two-day tour of Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia and Slovenia.

The partnership declaration is practically finished, he noted.

The work on it started after the October 2009 meeting between Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his Serbian counterpart Boris Tadić and, according to Lavrov, the document contains the two countries' views on the chief issues in their relations, key problems and development tendencies in the world and the two sides' intention to work together for the benefit of the Russian and Serbian people.

The Balkans is moving towards stabilization and sustainable development after a lengthy period of conflict and economic crisis, Lavrov told Pobjeda, a Montenegrin daily.

Relations between neighboring countries are improving, but there is still a danger of a return of conflict, he underlined.

The way to a better life in the Balkans lies in establishing new forms of cooperation, which should not cause a new form of divisions, he stated.

Partners shape their cooperation themselves, and Russia is willing to better its relations with all of the Balkan countries, Lavrov noted, adding that his country was interested in seeing the situation in the region return to normal.

Economy, Kosovo

Ahead of Lavrov's arrival here today, reports said he would confer with Serbia's top officials on bilateral relations, economic cooperation and Kosovo.

Russian news agency Itar-Tass said that the focus of attention will be the improvement of the bilateral cooperation, which has been on the upsurge in the past several years.

The officials will discuss the development of the trade and economic cooperation, and the Russian Foreign Ministry pointed out that Serbia will remain Russia's biggest partner in the Western Balkan region.

According to Russia's estimates, the commodity exchange between the two countries amounted to USD 1.4bn in 2010, Itar-Tass reported, adding that the work on the realization of large projects is being continued, including the construction of the Serbian section of the South Stream gas pipeline.

One of the topics to be discussed is the issue of Kosovo.

There is no doubt that the issue of Kosovo will be mentioned, and Serbia has Russia's unconditional and consistent support in this matter, Itar-Tass reported, referring to the statement of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

As Tanjug was told earlier by the Russian embassy in Belgrade, it is possible that one of the topics of talks will be the agreement on the two countries' strategic partnership, which has been drafted and whose harmonization is underway.

Lavrov is paying a visit to Serbia shortly after Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin visited Belgrade on March 23.

Belgrade will be the first stop on Lavrov's mini tour which lasts until April 21, and during which he will also visit Montenegro, Macedonia and Slovenia.