Esteemed colleagues,

The talks with Serbian Foreign Affairs Minister Vuk Jeremic have constituted another stage in the intensive and fruitful dialogue between our countries.

In furtherance of the accords reached in December last year during the visit to Moscow of Serbian President Boris Tadic, we discussed a broad range of issues in our bilateral ties in different fields and exchanged views on international affairs, primarily, of course, on the problem of Kosovo.

The course of fulfillment of the December summit’s accords has borne out the keenness of our states on constructing a strategic partnership and the mutual striving for maximal use of the very strong potential of traditionally close ties between our countries; ties which have common cultural and spiritual roots.

We have stated that the realization of the strategic energy projects proceeds successfully according to agreed-upon schedules, and agreed to do everything to ensure that these schedules are maintained. The prospects for developing new cooperation projects in such areas as transport, infrastructure and investment were discussed. I am certain that the mutual interest in such cooperation will lead to the appearance of new large-scale projects.

The juridical base of our relations is being solidified. The just signed bilateral agreement in fact introduces a visa-free regime between Russia and Serbia, which will of course help expand contacts between our citizens.

In discussing the problem of Kosovo, the Russian side reconfirmed our unchangeable position, which presupposes support of its settlement in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 1244. Likewise unchangeable is our support of Serbia’s line on upholding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its country. Russia will continue to work towards observance of the UNSC resolution on Kosovo and of the lawful rights of the minorities in the province.

We value the close cooperation of our delegations in the UN, OSCE, Council of Europe and other international organizations. We are grateful to Serbia for its interested approach to the Russian initiative to develop a Euro-Atlantic Security Treaty.

So we positively evaluate today’s talks. I am certain that they will contribute to the further advancement of our partnership.

Question: How could you comment upon the statement of Hashim Thaci that Russia will possibly in the near future and even earlier than Serbia recognize Kosovo?

Foreign Minister Lavrov: I think that Mr. Thaci is engaging in wishful thinking. It is not for Mr. Thaci, of all people, to speak on behalf of the Russian Federation. The position of Russia is clearly stated by its leadership, I have reconfirmed it today and there can be no ambiguity here.

Question: Could you comment on progress in preparing a treaty on cultural cooperation between Russia and Serbia?

Foreign Minister Lavrov (replies after Jeremic): I would like to add that I share the desire of Vuk Jeremic to complete finalization of a document on cooperation in the areas of culture, science, education, youth exchanges, and sport as soon as possible. This is a big program, slated for several years. We hope to soon complete its finalization and sign the appropriate document. In addition, we are expecting with impatience final accords on the schedules for holding the Days of Russia in Serbia and the Days of Serbia in Russia.

Question: When is the ratification of the agreement signed today expected? Do I correctly understand that the limitation on stay within the other state to a month can be used several times a year?

Is the Russian government not planning to make a totally visa-free regime for the citizens of Serbia, especially as the Serbian citizens living within Russia create no particular problems? It seems to me that the main hindrance in adopting a law on a free regime of entry for Serbian citizens to Russia is the Russian migration service.

Foreign Minister Lavrov: As to the Russian side, we also expect to very soon go through the necessary intrastate procedures for this agreement to take effect as soon as possible.

In respect of the lifting of the restrictions on travel to and stay in Russia by Serbian citizens I can say that 30 days is quite enough for any trip or the organization of any cultural and other events.

For those Serbs, as indeed the citizens of other countries, who want to reside permanently in the Russian Federation, there are the appropriate procedures. In particular, one is required to get either a work permit or a residence permit, and the relevant documents are quite easy to obtain in the prescribed manner. The Federal Migration Service creates no obstacles here. Simply a person has to clearly decide with what aim he or she wants to arrive in Russia. If just to spend time or see friends or acquaintances, then I repeat the present agreement creates all the conditions for that. But if it is about work, then there are the special procedures which have to be followed.

Question: How do you evaluate the present state of economic and trade ties between Russia and Serbia? Will the visa-free regime have an effect upon the further development of these ties?

Foreign Minister Lavrov: Economic and trade ties between Russia and Serbia are now developing at a very rapid pace and rose in the past year by more than 30 percent, to a record trade level of 4 billion dollars. We expect that since businessmen too will find it easier to visit each other the agreement signed today will help the further growth of trade and reciprocal investment. Tourism cooperation will receive an additional boost as well.

The upcoming signing of a protocol to the Agreement on Free Trade must impart an equally important impulse to our economic and trade cooperation. This document will broaden the range of goods covered by the free trade agreement.

So we look with optimism not only to the prospects of our investment interaction, but also to the prospects for the expansion of trade.