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Prime Minister Kostunica, Russian President Putin discuss Kosovo, economic ties
Sochi,
3 June 2004
Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Sochi today to discuss Kosovo-Metohija and bilateral economic relations.
From left: Vojislav Kostunica and Vladimir Putin
Author:
Fonet
The two officials voiced their concern over the current situation in the province and the outbreak of extremism in March. They agreed that the Serbian government’s plan for resolving the situation in Kosovo-Metohija is a good starting point for settling problems in the province, which also call for participation of the international community and local residents.
Putin said that Russia will remain engaged in the process of resolving problems in Kosovo-Metohija, adding that the country is ready to make more efforts if the international community assesses that Russia’s further engagement is required.
Kostunica, who is on a two-day visit to Russia on the invitation of President Putin, said that UN Security Council Resolution 1244 provides the framework for resolving Kosovo-Metohija problems and ensuring safety for Serbs and other non-Albanians in the province. The government’s Kosovo-Metohija plan envisages such a solution, the Prime Minister went on to say, adding that the plan may be subject to changes.
The Russian President described the meeting as an important stage in developing bilateral relations. He said that Russia is one of Serbia-Montenegro’s top foreign trade partners and noted that the two countries’ foreign trade volume last year reached $1.5 billion.
Putin added he expects the two sides to further improve economic cooperation, particularly in the energy and banking sectors.
According to the two officials, a Serbian business delegation will visit Moscow in mid-June to discuss specific plans for business cooperation.
Kostunica said that the meeting also focused on strengthening the rule of law and the judiciary, the fight against corruption, as well as military-technical cooperation.
The two officials also discussed ways to resolve the problem of Russia’s clearing debt to Serbia and Serbian firms’ debts to Russia.
Putin earlier said he is looking forward to meeting with Kostunica, adding that he values the Prime Minister’s stance on the Balkans. Kostunica said he is pleased with Putin’s invitation and welcomed the Russian President’s understanding for the developments in the Balkans. Russia has also shown understanding for the survival of Serbia-Montenegro and the combat against global terrorism, the Prime Minister said, adding that Russia’s presence in the Balkans is of great importance for regional stability.
PHOTO STORY: Prime Minister Kostunica on official visit to Russia
Putin said that Russia will remain engaged in the process of resolving problems in Kosovo-Metohija, adding that the country is ready to make more efforts if the international community assesses that Russia’s further engagement is required.
Kostunica, who is on a two-day visit to Russia on the invitation of President Putin, said that UN Security Council Resolution 1244 provides the framework for resolving Kosovo-Metohija problems and ensuring safety for Serbs and other non-Albanians in the province. The government’s Kosovo-Metohija plan envisages such a solution, the Prime Minister went on to say, adding that the plan may be subject to changes.
The Russian President described the meeting as an important stage in developing bilateral relations. He said that Russia is one of Serbia-Montenegro’s top foreign trade partners and noted that the two countries’ foreign trade volume last year reached $1.5 billion.
Putin added he expects the two sides to further improve economic cooperation, particularly in the energy and banking sectors.
According to the two officials, a Serbian business delegation will visit Moscow in mid-June to discuss specific plans for business cooperation.
Kostunica said that the meeting also focused on strengthening the rule of law and the judiciary, the fight against corruption, as well as military-technical cooperation.
The two officials also discussed ways to resolve the problem of Russia’s clearing debt to Serbia and Serbian firms’ debts to Russia.
Putin earlier said he is looking forward to meeting with Kostunica, adding that he values the Prime Minister’s stance on the Balkans. Kostunica said he is pleased with Putin’s invitation and welcomed the Russian President’s understanding for the developments in the Balkans. Russia has also shown understanding for the survival of Serbia-Montenegro and the combat against global terrorism, the Prime Minister said, adding that Russia’s presence in the Balkans is of great importance for regional stability.
PHOTO STORY: Prime Minister Kostunica on official visit to Russia
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