Vucic: Cooperation with Russia very important to Serbia, especially in energy sector

BEIJING - At the beginning of a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said the highest level of cooperation with Russia in all fields was very important to Serbia, especially in the energy sector and when it comes to supplies of Russian natural gas.

"I hope we will have an opportunity to not only preserve but also enhance some aspects of the cooperation. Energy is a very important sector to us and gas supplies are very important to us," Vucic said.

He noted that, thanks to a gas pipeline to Hungary, Serbia had boosted its energy cooperation with Russia and that further steps forward could be taken by building a Serbia-Hungary oil pipeline.

"All Russian companies are welcome - all those who would like to take part in infrastructure projects in Serbia, including RZHD, Rosatom and many others," he added.

He thanked Putin for the opportunity to meet with him in Beijing, as well as for his hospitality during a May 9 reception in Moscow.

"Allow me to express my gratitude to you personally for the respect and support for the preservation of the territorial integrity of Serbia, and to thank you for your friendly attitude towards the Serbs," Vucic told Putin.

"I want to inform you that Serbia has been in a difficult situation and under great pressure since the outset of the Ukraine crisis. Regardless of that, we have succeeded in maintaining our principled position and in defending Serbia's independence," Vucic also said.

He noted that Serbia was the only European country that had imposed no sanctions on Russia and that it would maintain its neutrality in the future.

"Also, I want to listen carefully to your recommendations and proposals for development of our relations in the future, and thank you for the warm reception. I am certain that we can increase and strengthen the bilateral cooperation between Serbia and Russia," Vucic said.

Putin said Russia respected Serbia's independent orientation under Vucic's leadership.