Lavrov: Serbian-Russian Relations of Strategic Importance

Lavrov, Vucic (BETAPHOTO/MILOS MISKOV/EV)

Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s minister of foreign affairs, said in Belgrade on Oct. 10 that the strategic partnership between Serbia and Russia is very important and that communication between the two countries’ leadership is based on mutual trust.

After a face-to-face between Lavrov and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, the two statesmen held a joint press conference where Lavrov commended this week’s session of the Intergovernmental Committee as the latest proof that Serbia and Russia are consistently deepening their strategic partnership since “concrete steps” toward furthering cooperation were made during the meeting.

“I’d like to underscore the strategic character of our relations. I passed on President Putin’s warm regards and best wishes. We are committed to a continuing dialogue at the highest level, have examined all the possible points of contact between the two presidents and will be discussing a meeting,” Lavrov said.

The foreign secretary also stated that Russia remains of the opinion that the Kosovo question should be resolved in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1244 via direct dialogue between Belgrade and Prisitina, and then approved by the UN Security Council.

Lavrov, who arrived in Belgrade on occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Non-Aligned Movement, said that Russia was concerned over the “provocations in northern Kosovo” that took place in late September, when the Kosovo authorities dispatched Special Forces units to enforce their decision regarding vehicle license plates with Serbian insignia. “We appreciated Serbia’s poise and President Vucic’s firm stance, which enabled the crisis to be resolved,” Russia’s external minister concluded.