Serbian President Boris Tadic stated after his meeting with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Wednesday that the two countries have the highest level of agreement on all aspects of international policy and that they share a common interest in developing their cooperation in all areas.

At a joint news conference with the Russian prime minister, Tadic pointed out that Serbia and Russia have raised the level of their cooperation considerably in certain domains to their mutual benefit, but that they also have the potential for opening new perspectives of cooperation in all areas, including security.

We discussed global and regional topics, bilateral relations between Serbia and Russia, our close ties in the domain of culture and language and centuries' long relations between the two nations which will certainly continue in the time to come, Tadic said.

He underscored that the most important conclusion reached at the Wednesday meeting is that there are no limits to the economic cooperation between Serbia and Russia.

Tadic expressed gratitude to Putin over Russia's support to Serbia in the Kosovo-Metohija issue, Serbia's engagement in Russian global energy plans and Russia's USD 200 million loan to Serbia in times of economic crisis.

We agreed that the Russian USD 800 million loan should be realised in phases, primarily in the domain of railway, and it will be implemented one project at a time.

We also discussed potential investments in the energy sector and restoration of our energy plants, as well as the possibility for several new projects in the field of electricity production, where Russian investors would participate independently, Tadic said.

According to him, the two countries have great opportunities for cooperation in agriculture, and Serbia is very interested in marketing its agricultural products in Russia.

On behalf of Serbia's investors, Tadic expressed particular interest in the participation of the Serbian construction industry in infrastructure projects in Russia, primarily in the construction of facilities for holding the Olympics and FIFA World Cup.

When it comes to the South Stream pipeline project, which is strategically very important for Serbia, Tadic stressed that the Russian side assured him that the project will be implemented in the coming years.

According to Tadic, the Russian-Serbian partnerships in the Petroleum Industry of Serbia (NIS), the announced investments in the Pancevo-based refinery, as well as prospects for the participation of NIS in the third markets are all of considerable importance for Serbia in the energy sector.

Thanking Prime Minister Putin for the role that Moscow played in the past during Serbia's diplomatic battle for Kosovo-Metohija, President Tadic said that he expects Russia's continued support regarding the issue, but also in terms of international investigations into human organs trafficking in Kosovo.

Tadic in fact announced that Serbia will ask from Russia to support the initiative before the UN Security Council that the allegations contained in Dick Marty's report be conducted by an independent international body.

As for Serbia's strategic orientation to achieve membership in the EU, Tadic reiterated that the foreign policy orientation will not in any way call into question the traditionally good relations the country has with Russia.

The EU is Serbia's strategic orientation, but at the same time Serbia has a strategic interest in cooperation with Russia in all areas.

I believe the EU cannot deal with their energy needs without cooperation with Russia and I am sure that Serbia will be part of that arrangement, said Tadic.

The Serbian President emphasized the importance of cooperation in the field of culture, and expressed the belief that national social institutions of the two countries can contribute to improving the cooperation.


Putin: Serbia and Russia will remain allies regarding Kosovo issue

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin stated in Belgrade on Wednesday that Russia will continue to be Serbia's ally when it comes to the Kosovo issue, which is in keeping with the UNSC Resolution 1244, and pointed out that Serbia's pro-European orientation does not represent a concern for Russia.

Russia has been and will remain Serbia's ally when it comes to the Kosovo-Metohija issue and it is not necessary to elaborate on the reasons for this, as they are deeply rooted in the two countries' long history of relations and their closeness, Putin said at a press conference at the Palace of Serbia.

According to Putin, Russia's stand on the Kosovo issue is based on the principles defined in UNSC Resolution 1244, which Moscow will continue to respect because it was not annulled.

It is solely up to the people of Serbia to decide on how to conduct their policies, any kind of negotiations are better than conflicts and if required to do so, Russia would back the process, Putin said when asked to comment on the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue.

Serbia's European orientation does not disturb or worry Russia, Putin said. Russia will monitor the process carefully and work together with Serbia to ensure that it does not harm the relations between the two countries, Putin said, expressing his belief that this is feasible and that such ways can be found.

Putin stated that the Wednesday talks in Belgrade confirmed the high level of understanding between the two countries.

The Russian official pointed out that the talks also covered the cooperation in the area of energy, especially the South Stream pipeline, and recalled that Gazprom delivered a presentation on this topic in Belgrade on Wednesday.

He also said that the project is getting bigger every day, recalling that it has recently been joined by the German company BASF and Slovenia.

Putin noted that the discussion also touched on the modernization of the Petroleum Industry of Serbia (NIS) and investments in the company, recalling that EUR 500 million was invested in NIS last year.

According to him, during the talks, considerable attention was given to the construction of the underground gas storage facility Banatski Dvor, as well as to the cooperation in the field of railway transport and tourism.

In this context, Putin said that the talks touched on the opportunities to tap Serbia's rich experiences in tourism, as well as on the country's potential involvement in projects for construction of facilities for the Olympic Games in Sofia and Football World Cup in Russia.

The topics included the regional center in Nis, activation of cooperation in the sphere of culture, science and other fields, which, as he said, should be boosted by the agreements signed Wednesday.

Putin recalled the increased volume of trade exchange between the two countries.

Speaking of the most promising economic projects in the future, Putin said that he completely agrees with Serbian President Boris Tadic on the issue, and recalled that EUR 800 million of the loan that Russia approved to Serbia will be used to finalize specific projects, especially the modernization of railways.

He said that the oil company Lukoil has operations in Serbia in addition to NIS, adding that bilateral cooperation will be particularly focused on agriculture and energy.

We are satisfied with the level of cooperation with the Serbian partners, Putin underlined.

Putin's delegation comprises heads of Russian companies

The delegation of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, which is to visit Belgrade on Wednesday, comprises numerous government officials and about 100 businessmen.

One part of the delegation arrived from Ljubljana, Slovenia to Belgrade on Tuesday evening, while another arrived on Wednesday morning.

The economic issues will be discussed between Serbian officials and Russian Minister of Civil Defence, Emergences and Disaster Relief and President of the Joint Serbian-Russian Committee for Economic Cooperation Sergei Shoigu, Transport Minister Igor Levitin, Minister of Education and Science Andrei Fursenko and Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko.

The Russian delegation also comprises: Deputy Head of the Apparatus of the Russian Government Yuri Ushakov, Deputy Minister of Sport, Tourism and Youth Policy Nadezhda Nazina, Deputy Minister of Economic Development Andrey Slepnev, and Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Titov.

Other members of the Russian delegation are: Director General of Zarubezhneft Nikolay Brunich, Chairman of State Corporation 'Bank for Development Foreign Economic Affairs (Vnesheconombank)' Vladimir Dmitriev, Chairman of Gazprom Neft Management Committee and Gazprom Neft Director General Alexander Dyukov, Charman of the INTER RAO UES Management Board Boris Kovalchuk, and Chairman of Gazprom Management Committee Alexei Miller.

Serbia, Russia to boost political ties, economic cooperation

Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic said that today’s visit of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will strengthen political ties between the two countries and contribute to improvement of economic cooperation.

Cvetkovic said at the beginning of the meeting of delegations of the governments of Serbia and Russia, which he chairs together with Putin, that the visit of the Russian Prime Minister is yet another confirmation of traditional friendship between the two countries and closeness of the Serbian and Russian peoples.

I am positive that this visit will improve our political ties and economic cooperation, he stated and underlined that there are many agreements that give framework for cooperation between Serbia and Russia and that the aim of this meeting is to make a step ahead and define new ways of cooperation.

Putin expressed satisfaction with today’s talks in Belgrade that dealt with cooperation in the fields of energy, trasnport and ecology.

Serbia, Russian Federation sign agreements in several areas

In the presence of Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic and President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin today in Belgrade, officials of the two countries have signed agreements on cooperation in tourism, road transport, scientific and technical cooperation as well as an agreement between the City of Belgrade and the Russian power company Inter RAO UES.

Serbian Minister of Economy and Regional Development Nebojsa Ciric and Russian Assistant Minister for Sport, Tourism and Youth Policy Nadezhda Nazin signed the agreement on tourism.

Serbian Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Milutin Mrkonjic and Russian Minister of Transport Igor Levitin signed the cooperation agreement on road transport.

The agreement on scientific and technical cooperation was signed by Serbian Minister of Education and Science Zarko Obradovic and Russian Deputy Education Minister Alexei Ponomarev.

The agreement on cooperation between Belgrade and Russian power company Inter RAO UES was signed by Belgrade Mayor Dragan Djilas and the company's president Boris Kovalchuk.

Friendly, partnership relations between Serbia, Russian Federation

Serbian Parliament Speaker Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic said today that the visit of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will give a new and powerful impetus to further development of economic relations between the two countries.

Djukic-Dejanovic said in a meeting with Putin at the National Assembly that relations between the two countries in political, economic, cultural, security and other fields are an example of friendly relations between two countries that respect each other and regard each other as partners, regardless of their size or economic, military and other power.

She expressed appreciation for the principled position that Russia has shown in the UN Security Council regarding the preservation of territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia.

Serbia regards its EU road as very important, she said and stressed that Serbia cherishes and tries to improve relations with all countries.

Djukic-Dejanovic said that Serbia is also making great efforts to cope with economic difficulties.

Russia is a great country, not only for the expanse and population, but also for its cultural heritage, history, great men it has given to mankind, but also for its respect of international law, legal and security order established by the UN Charter, she said.

On behalf of all Serbian MPs, the Serbian Parliament Speaker expressed satisfaction with having had the opportunity to welcome Prime Minister Putin and used the occasion to send best wishes to the people of Russia.

Serbian Patriarch Irinej presents Putin with Saint Sava medal

Serbian Patriarch Irinej handed out tonight in the Temple of Saint Sava the Medal of Saint Sava of First Order to Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

The Patriarch thanked Putin for his love for the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) and the effort and support of Russia so that Kosovo-Metohija remains part of Serbia.

The Russian Prime Minister thanked Patriarch Irinej for the medal noting that the Temple of Saint Sava is beautiful.

He also pointed out to the unbreakable connection between the Serbian and Russian people.

Putin was awarded this medal in 2007 at the suggestion of the then Serbian Patriarch Pavle, but he has received it this evening.

The ceremony at the Temple of Saint Sava was also attended by Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic, Prince Aleksandar Karadjordjevic, Canadian Bishop Grigorije, Bishop Potfirije, Bishop of Backa Irinej and Head of the Podvorye of the Moscow Patriarchate in Serbia Vitaly Tarasjev.

By visiting the Temple of Saint Sava, Putin ended his one-day visit to Belgrade.

Cvetkovic, Putin at Red Star-Zenit football match

Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin attended this evening a football match between Red Star and Zenit from St Petersburg which was played at Belgrade's Maracana stadium.

Cvetkovic and Putin were welcomed by President of the Football Club Red Star Vladan Lukic and President of the Red Star Sports Association Petar Skundric.

The hosts gave Putin the club's number one jersey, a replica of the cup final of the European Champions that Red Star won 20 years ago in Bari, and a copy of the White Angel fresco from the medieval monastery of Mileseva.

Also present were Minister of Youth and Sport Snezana Samardzic-Markovic and President of the Serbian Football Association Tomislav Karadzic.