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Russian ambassador highlights Serbia’s satisfaction with recent gas deal

There has been no break in building cooperation between Moscow and Belgrade, Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko underscored

MOSCOW, May 30. /TASS/. Russia is observing progress and dynamic forces at work on all fronts of cooperation with Serbia, Russian Ambassador to Belgrade Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko said during a Rossiya-24 TV broadcast on Monday.

"Speaking about cooperation more broadly, first of all, we have a political dialogue developing and will continue with it with the same vigor. Yesterday's telephone conversation between our presidents the best proof of this. Their dialogue has also moved forward and will continue to develop without interruption, on a regular basis and in a very meaningful way. As for specific economic aspects, we can emphasize further work of Russian Railways here, the further work of Gazpromneft and Power Machines," he pointed out.

"Once again I say that in all areas that we have lined up in recent years, we are seeing progress and momentum," the envoy added.

As the diplomat noted, there has been no break in building cooperation between Moscow and Belgrade. "I want to emphasize once again that in recent months that we did not have any interruption whatsoever in the development and implementation of major projects," he continued, "Serbia, as it is known, principally does not adhere to the Western sanctions against Russia. This position is firm, unshakable, and as of today, there is no reason to assume that it can be rearranged by the Serbian leadership."

"In many respects this non-adherence to anti-Russian measures has, I would like to add, also a moral and political component. Considering our special ties, the spiritual aspects, and closeness between our peoples, one cannot imagine how Serbia can stand on the side of those who conduct a Russophobic policy," Botsan-Kharchenko stressed.

In addition, the ambassador noted the Serbian public commended the Russian gas supply deal to the country. "In this case, the agreement in principle, perhaps, more than satisfied the Serbian President [Aleksandar Vucic]. And most importantly, already yesterday there were comments and in the contacts that yours truly had yesterday with the Serbs, I can say, it is even visible in the media, that this agreement is <…> very well received widely in the country, because the question of gas supply is fundamental, ranging from ordinary residents and, of course, to the economy, given the proportion of cooperation on energy, including gas, and the dependence of Serbia’s economy and industrial development on the supply of Russian gas," the Russian diplomat summarized.

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