Vucevic receives Reshetnikov

BELGRADE - Serbian PM Milos Vucevic received Russian Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshentnikov in Belgrade on Friday to discuss further strengthening of economic and overall bilateral cooperation.

Vucevic said a Russian delegation headed by Reshetnikov was visiting Serbia in the days when Belgrade was marking the 80th anniversary of its liberation in WWII - a victory won jointly by Yugoslav and Russian forces, while Reshetnikov noted it was a glorious page in the shared history, the Serbian government said in a statement.

Vucevic said a recent conversation between Presidents Aleksandar Vucic and Vladimir Putin lent a new impetus to overall bilateral relations between the Republic of Serbia and the Russian Federation.

He stressed that a St Petersburg agreement on additional natural gas supplies for the winter season was of great significance for Serbia and added that the security of energy supplies was extremely important for the country.

He added that Serbia was ready to discuss an extension of a natural gas deal with Russia.

Vucevic conveyed Serbia's gratitude to Russia for supporting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia and for its position in a UN General Assembly vote on a Srebrenica resolution.

"Serbia highly appreciates that support and is not forgetting it," Vucevic said, thanking Russia for inviting Serbia to the BRICS summit, which was attended by Serbian Deputy PM Aleksandar Vulin and government ministers.

Speaking about sanctions on Russia, Vucevic said that Serbia, despite great pressures, was pursuing a free and independent policy and noted that this was an advantage as the country maintained good cooperation with the Russian Federation, with the EU, as well as with China and other countries.

Vucevic also informed Reshentnikov of Serbia's good economic performance in 2024.

Reshentnikov said the Russian Federation appreciated Serbia's balanced position and its stance on sanctions on Russia.

He added that Serbia and Russia could boost economic cooperation as well as cooperation in other areas such as energy, commerce, agriculture and transport.