The Vice-chairman of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Zoran Andjelkovic, and the chairman of the Committee on Trade and Tourism, Rajko Baralic, today met the deputy speaker of the Russian Duma, Sergei Nikolaievich Baburin, the chairman of the Joint National Security Commission of Russia and Belarus, Boris Stepanovich Bikinin, and the head of administration of the Joint Commission of Russia and Belarus, Oleg Aleksandrovich Ziza.

The talks centred on the current situation in Serbia, especially on Kosovo and Metohia. Mr Baburin expressed his sorrow at the March events in Kosovo, strongly condemning them. UN Security Council Resolution 1244 must be implemented, and Kosovo and Metohia should remain an integral part of Serbia and Montenegro, said Mr Baburin, underlining that this was an opinion shared by all Russian political figures.

Mr Andjelkovic expressed satisfaction at the support given by Russia and President Putin to Serbia in resolving the situation in Kosovo and Metohia, especially during the March events. He stressed the need for improved co-operation of the Russian Duma and the Serbian Assembly, and for greater economic co-operation between Serbia and Russia and Belarus. As Serbia used to be one of the most important partners and largest exporters in that market, we expect this government to strive towards regaining our companies’ privileged position, in the interest of the people of Serbia, Andjelkovic said.