Popovic meets with Lavrov in St Petersburg

ST PETERSBURG - Serbian government minister Nenad Popovic, who also co-chairs a Serbia-Russia committee on trade and economic and scientific and technological cooperation, met on Thursday in St Petersburg with Russian FM Sergey Lavrov to discuss strengthening of Serbia-Russia strategic dialogue.

The meeting, held during the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, chiefly addressed development of strategic dialogue and coordination of key foreign policy activities between Serbia and Russia, Popovic's office said in a statement.

The parties agreed that Serbia and Russia maintained continuous, years-long cooperation and regular political dialogue at all levels, which they noted enabled efficient resolution of issues of mutual interest.

They highlighted a recent session of the inter-governmental committee in Belgrade, at which a series of important documents were signed, including a Serbia-Russia programme of economic cooperation until 2031.

"We had a substantial and open discussion about current international topics and opportunities for further strengthening of Serbia-Russia cooperation in the field of foreign policy. On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Serbs, I expressed gratitude to the Russian Federation for the consistent and principled support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia, especially when it comes to the issue of our southern province of Kosovo-Metohija, as well as for the firm position of respect for UNSCR 1244," Popovic noted.

He added that the current situation in Kosovo-Metohija had also been discussed, with special emphasis on the challenges and difficulties faced by Serbs in the province.

"Serbia and Russia are the two closest countries, connected by historical, cultural and spiritual heritage. Serbs and Russians are brotherly nations. Serbia has never imposed sanctions on the Russian Federation, and never will. The exceptional relationship between President Aleksandar Vucic and President Vladimir Putin is a guarantee of the best political and economic relations between our two countries," Popovic said.

The parties expressed mutual readiness to continue intensive political dialogue, coordinate foreign policy activities and advance cooperation in areas of mutual interest, the statement said.