Dacic: Serbia-Russia bilateral relations on high level

MOSCOW - Despite numerous challenges, Serbia-Russia bilateral relations are on a high level, Serbian First Deputy PM and FM Ivica Dacic said at the beginning of a meeting with Russian top diplomat Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Thursday.

The one-hour meeting, which continued behind closed doors, addressed a wide range of bilateral political and economic cooperation.

Dacic and Lavrov discussed the situation in Kosovo-Metohija, developments in the Balkans and current international issues.

"Last year, we marked the 185th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. They are characterised by traditional friendship and culture and based on mutual trust and strategic cooperation," Dacic said.

He said the personal relationship between the two presidents, Aleksandar Vucic and Vladimir Putin, had a special role in development of cooperation.

"I am certain that we will maintain the bilateral relations through mutual efforts," Dacic said.

He said economic relations with Russia were extremely important, in the energy sector in particular, and noted that, at the initiative of their presidents, the two countries had an energy deal in place until 2025.

"We are very grateful to Russia for the support it is providing to us when it comes to our territorial integrity. It is very significant for us and I want to thank you personally for the great understanding and support in all situations where we have turned to you for help," Dacic told Lavrov.

"We will discuss the situation in the Western Balkans - the policy of double standards is exactly what has led to our territorial integrity being violated," Dacic added.

He thanked Moscow for requesting a UN Security Council session to mark 25 years since the beginning of the 1999 NATO aggression on Serbia.

Lavrov noted that Moscow was highly appreciative of the relations with Belgrade.

"We are very pleased with the progress when it comes to trade and investments," he said.

Lavrov also said cooperation in the UN was especially valuable when it comes to positions the West was unwilling to hear.