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Putin hopes agreement on free trade zone between Serbia, EAEU to be signed already in 2019

The president noted that energy is one of the key areas of cooperation

BELGRADE, January 17. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed the hope that an agreement on the free trade zone between Serbia and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) will be signed as early as 2019.

"In our common opinion, new opportunities for expansion and diversification of commodity flows will open after the conclusion of an agreement on a free trade zone of Serbia with the Eurasian Economic Union. I expect that the document will be signed before the end of this year," Putin said.

The Russian leader noted that energy is one of the key areas of cooperation.

"Russian gas exports to Serbia grew by 20% last year and reached 2.3 bln cubic meters. By 2022, Gazprom plans to increase deliveries of Russian gas to Serbia to 3.5 bln cubic meters. For this purpose, this year the start will be given to the project on expansion of the Banatski Dvor underground gas storage from the current 450 to 750 mln cubic meters. The work is also continuing to expand the Serbian gas transmission network," Putin said.

According to him, all these developments will significantly strengthen the energy security of Serbia and the entire Balkan region.