FM: Strategic partnership, special relations

The historic strategic partnership declaration between Serbia and Russia will make the special nature of the relations between Serbia and Russia official. This is according to Serbia's Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic, who wrote an article he wrote for International Affairs, a monthly journal issued by the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry. FM: Strategic partnership, special relations The strategic partnership agreement will be signed by the two countries' presidents in Moscow soon. Jeremic said the special relations between Serbia and Russia would remain stable and strong regardless of any changes in the world. The common approach on regional issues is the logical consequence of a broader agreement concerning the situation in the world, wrote Jeremic. Serbia is paying special attention to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's initiative regarding a European security agreement, which is consistent with Serbia's strict military neutrality, Jeremic pointed out. He thanked Russia for its support to Serbia regarding Kosovo's attempt at secession and added that the protection of sovereignty and territorial integrity was Serbia's vital national interest. Serbia has always stressed the need for a strategic compromise in its policy towards Kosovo, said the minister. The International Court of Justice opinion regarding the legality of Kosovo's declaration of independence stated clearly that it was merely an attempt to finalize Kosovo's status, and the opinion made the world support dialogue as the best way towards peace in Kosovo, he noted. Good will on both sides will open the door to some practical solutions that would benefit the entire Kosovo population, he claims, adding that the recently started talks between Belgrade and Pristina are directed towards creating the conditions needed to find a general solution for Kosovo that would be acceptable to both sides and according to UN Security Council Resolution 1244. The Security Council, which continues to play a crucial part in determining the territory's final status, will have to verify any agreement, Jeremic underlined. Serbia still counts on Russia's support regarding an investigation into the allegations that some of the top-ranking Kosovo officials have been involved in organized crime and war crimes, including human organ trafficking, said the minister. He thanked Russia for supporting Serbia's request for the Security Council to form an ad hoc investigation body that would have a broad authority. Russia's role as one of Serbia's chief economic partners is based on the two countries' agreement on strategic partnership in energy, which resulted in Serbia getting involved in the South Stream gas pipeline project, Jeremic stated. Serbia has intensified its efforts towards reforms, as part of its strategic decision to develop through EU integration, Jeremic pointed out, adding that he believes the integration will allow a new dimension of relations between Serbia and Russia. Vuk Jeremic (Tanjug, file)

FM: Strategic partnership, special relations

The strategic partnership agreement will be signed by the two countries' presidents in Moscow soon.

Jeremić said the special relations between Serbia and Russia would remain stable and strong regardless of any changes in the world.

The common approach on regional issues is the logical consequence of a broader agreement concerning the situation in the world, wrote Jeremić.

Serbia is paying special attention to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's initiative regarding a European security agreement, which is consistent with Serbia's strict military neutrality, Jeremić pointed out.

He thanked Russia for its support to Serbia regarding Kosovo's attempt at secession and added that the protection of sovereignty and territorial integrity was Serbia's vital national interest.

Serbia has always stressed the need for a strategic compromise in its policy towards Kosovo, said the minister. The International Court of Justice opinion regarding the legality of Kosovo's declaration of independence stated clearly that it was merely an attempt to finalize Kosovo's status, and the opinion made the world support dialogue as the best way towards peace in Kosovo, he noted.

Good will on both sides will open the door to some practical solutions that would benefit the entire Kosovo population, he claims, adding that the recently started talks between Belgrade and Priština are directed towards creating the conditions needed to find a general solution for Kosovo that would be acceptable to both sides and according to UN Security Council Resolution 1244.

The Security Council, which continues to play a crucial part in determining the territory's final status, will have to verify any agreement, Jeremić underlined.

Serbia still counts on Russia's support regarding an investigation into the allegations that some of the top-ranking Kosovo officials have been involved in organized crime and war crimes, including human organ trafficking, said the minister.

He thanked Russia for supporting Serbia's request for the Security Council to form an ad hoc investigation body that would have a broad authority.

Russia's role as one of Serbia's chief economic partners is based on the two countries' agreement on strategic partnership in energy, which resulted in Serbia getting involved in the South Stream gas pipeline project, Jeremić stated.

Serbia has intensified its efforts towards reforms, as part of its strategic decision to develop through EU integration, Jeremić pointed out, adding that he believes the integration will allow a new dimension of relations between Serbia and Russia.