The parliamentarians stressed that Serbia and Russia share traditionally friendly and deep historic ties which provide a solid basis for the strengthening of the relations between the two countries and nations at all levels.
International Affairs Committee Deputy Chairman Kalashnikov said that all the political parties represented at the State Duma are united in their position that Russia should assist Serbia’s efforts to maintain its sovereignty and territorial integrity. He drew attention to the excellent cooperation between the two countries’ parliamentarians at the Council of Europe PA and the need for mutual support at the international level.
Committee Chairman Aligrudic thanked Russia for its principled position on Kosovo-Metohija, saying that Serbia strives to strike a balance between its efforts to join the European Union and the need to protect its territorial integrity.
Aligrudic repeated the position of the Democratic Party of Serbia that the country needs to retain the status of political and military neutrality and that the political negotiations with Pristina should be conducted within the UN and lead to a solution to the province’s status.
The Committee members highlighted the Russian state’s assistance in the protection of Serbian Orthodox monasteries in Kosovo-Metohija.
Irena Aleksic and Ljubisa Stojmirovic reminded of the recent meeting between Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi, stressing that it was important not only as a confirmation of the close relationship, but also because of the specific agreements achieved there. They pointed out the potentials for strengthening economic cooperation and the need for the Russian entrepreneurs and investors to “return to the Balkans”.
The two countries’ parliamentarians urged for a further improvement of the comprehensive bilateral relations and for the intensification of parliamentary cooperation in particular.