MOSCOW, March 10. /TASS/. Presidents of Russia and Serbia Vladimir Putin and Tomislav Nikolic have discussed during their meeting in the Kremlin on Thursday the bilateral relations, in particular, the forthcoming visit of Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to Belgrade.

"I hope we will work in accordance with a modern, positive agenda," the Russian leader said opening talks with his Serbian counterpart. "In this connection I would like to recall the Serbian prime minister’s visit to Russia last fall and the Russian prime minister’s trip to Serbia that is planned, hopefully, in the near future," Putin said.

In general, the inter-state relations between Moscow and Belgrade are developing successfully, according to Putin.

The Russian president offered to discuss "both the situation in the region and international relations."

Putin also thanked Nikolic for promoting and protecting the Eastern Christian traditions. "I want to congratulate you on the well-deserved award - the prize of the International Foundation for the Unity of Orthodox Christian Nations. You are doing a lot to protect and promote the Eastern Christian traditions and values," the president said. "I want to thank you on behalf of myself for your work in this direction," he said.