The Russian minister in Belgrade: Moscow appreciates Serbia's balanced policy

2024-10-25 20:01:38, Kosova & Bota CNA

The Russian minister in Belgrade: Moscow appreciates Serbia's balanced

The Minister of Economic Development of Russia, Maksim Reshetnikov, said on Friday during a visit to Belgrade that Moscow "appreciates the balanced policy" of Serbia and its position not to impose sanctions on Russia, the Serbian Government said in a communiqué.

Reshtnikov met with the Prime Minister of Serbia, Miloš Vu?evi?, in the Serbian capital and they talked about further strengthening of the economic and general cooperation between the two countries, the announcement states.

Reshetnikov is among a number of officials from Moscow who are under Western sanctions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which began in 2022.

Serbia says it supports Ukraine's territorial integrity, but it is refusing to side with the European Union - which it aims to become a part of - to impose sanctions on Russia, while representatives of the authorities in Belgrade continue to maintain ties with the Kremlin.

In the announcement of the Government of Serbia, it is said that the Prime Minister, speaking about the sanctions against Russia, said that Serbia "despite great pressures leads a free and independent policy" and that it has good cooperation with both Russia and the European Union , China and other countries.

Russia is Serbia's biggest supporter in opposing Kosovo's independence, which Pristina declared in 2008.

During the conversation, Vucevic emphasized that Serbia is ready to discuss the continuation of the contract for the supply of Russian gas and that the agreement from Saint Petersburg for additional gas supply during the winter season is of great importance for Serbia.

Since the beginning of the Russian occupation of Ukraine, Serbia has started working on finding other sources of supply, but the gas still mainly comes from Russia.

Vu?evi? thanked Russia for inviting Serbia to attend the BRICS summit, a group led by countries such as Russia, China and India.

A four-member delegation from the Government of Serbia attended the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, from October 22 to 24.

Vu?evi? emphasized that the conversation between the presidents of the two countries, Aleksandar Vu?i? and Vladimir Putin, represents "new momentum for the general bilateral relations between Serbia and Russia".

After a phone conversation on October 20, Vucic said he thanked Putin "for assuring me that Russia will provide enough gas to Serbia this winter."

Reshetnikov said that Serbia and Russia can improve cooperation in the economy, as well as in other areas, such as energy, trade, agriculture, transport, according to the announcement.

He also expressed the readiness for Russian companies to participate in all projects on the occasion of the EXPO 2027 international exhibition, which will be held in Belgrade.

On the same day, when the Russian minister under Western sanctions is visiting Serbia, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, is also in Belgrade.

Von der Leyen is on a tour of the six countries of the Western Balkans, to talk with their officials about the European Union Growth Plan worth six billion euros and their progress towards European integration./ REL