Lavrov: Strategic partnership could be improved

Lavrov: Strategic partnership could be improved

There is significant potential in trade and economic relations between Russia and Serbia, Lavrov said in an interview for the Belgrade-based daily Politika, adding that the Russian investor's purchase of shares in the Petroleum Industry of Serbia (NIS) is an example of good cooperation.

"I expect that Russian investors will continue to be offered favorable conditions. I am sure that the inflow of Russian capital and large credit arrangements help boost Serbia's economic growth," he said.

Therefore, Serbia-Russia relations cannot be a hostage to outside factors, Lavrov said, adding that it is important for Moscow that Serbia's EU integration, the start of EU entry talks, does not harm the partnership, the realization of major economic and infrastructure projects, including the energy sector.

"The South Stream project constitutes Russia's investment in ensuring a complex energy security on the continent," Lavrov said, adding that, in that context, Brussels's statements about the need for reviewing interstate agreements between Russia and the countries taking part in the project, Serbia included, in order to harmonize it with the EU's Third Energy Package give a cause for concern and pose a difficulty.

"The EU legislation cannot be implemented retroactively and it cannot affect the bilateral agreements that had been reached previously. The agreements are part of international law, and cannot be unilaterally subjected to revision. We believe that Serbian partners take the same stand," Lavrov said.

When it comes to Kosovo and Metohija, Lavrov stressed that Moscow is ready to continue cooperating with Belgrade on resolving the Kosovo issue, starting from the point that the Serbian side should decide on its own what its priorities are.

"In principle, we have backed the establishment of the Belgrade-Priština dialogue so as to create prerequisites for improving living conditions for the population in the province. We attach a special importance to the necessity of improving the position of the Serb community. Some progress has been made in the negotiations. We will agree to every solution that suits Serbia," the Russian foreign minister said.