Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the phone Wednesday, asking him to help Serbia to acquire additional quantities of Russian anti-COVID-19 vaccines as soon as possible to provide reliable protection against the coronavirus to as many Serbian citizens as possible in the shortest possible period of time.
Vucic and Putin agreed that, also in the period marked by difficulties caused by the coronavirus, Serbia and Russia had affirmed a high level of mutual understanding and friendship.
Vucic thanked Putin for his support in the fight against the coronavirus and, in particular, for shipments of the Sputnik V vaccine, because it has helped Serbia to become a leader in anti-COVID-19 vaccination, the Serbian president’s press office said in a statement.
Vucic also noted Serbia could build production facilities with assistance from Russian experts to produce the vaccines on its own.
No one can destroy the friendship between Serbia and Russia, the two presidents agreed, adding that bilateral relations were stable and on an upward trajectory.
In a long and friendly conversation, they discussed an entire range of topics including areas of bilateral cooperation and the regional and international situations.
Vucic thanked Putin for his unrelenting personal support for Serbia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as for Russia’s active support on the Kosovo-Metohija issue.
“Russia understands our efforts to ensure peace and stability in the region and Serbia’s readiness for dialogue and compromise as the only way of solving open issues,” Vucic said.
Vucic confirmed that Serbia intended to develop strategic relations with Russia further and said the possibilities for economic cooperation remained largely untapped.
Particular attention must be devoted to increasing the volume of trade, completing ongoing and launching new joint projects in the energy and infrastructure sectors, as well as to further strengthening of cooperation in development of technology and innovation and cooperation in military technology, Vucic said.
In turn, Putin highlighted the significance of the work of a joint intergovernmental commission on cooperation.
Vucic noted the importance of the Balkan Stream gas pipeline, which is contributing to Serbia’s energy stability, the statement also said. ■
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