BELGRADE, February 17. /TASS/. Russia expects Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and troops from the Balkan country to take part in the military parade on Moscow’s Red Square on May 9 to mark the 75th anniversary of the Victory in WWII, Russian Defense Minister Army General Sergei Shoigu said on Monday.

"This year, we are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the end of World War Two. The heroic efforts of our ancestors who fought shoulder to shoulder ensured the joint victory over Nazis and their accomplices," the Russian defense chief stated at a meeting with his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vulin in Belgrade.

"On May 9, we are expecting President Vucic, you and Serbian servicemen to take part in the parade on Red Square," Shoigu reported.

"And I am confident that your military contingent will march in a very dignified manner across Red Square, across the square that saw a parade of victors in 1945," he added.

In turn, Vulin informed that 75 Serbian troops would take part in the military parade on Red Square. Also, representatives of the Syrian army will take part in the ceremony of opening a memorial gallery, the Memory Road, at the Russian Armed Forces Cathedral being built at the Patriot Park in the Moscow Region to mark the 75th anniversary of the Victory in WWII.

The Russian defense minister also congratulated his Serbian counterpart and the entire Serbian people on the national holiday, Serbia’s Statehood Day.

Other Russia-based events involving Serbian military

The Serbian military will take part in the Moscow Conference on International Security, the Army Military and Technical Forum and the International Army Games this year, Serbian Defense Minister Aleksandar Vulin said at a meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu on Monday.

Serbia was really happy to see Shoigu’s re-appointment as Russia’s defense chief, Vulin commented.

"We have no better friend in this post than you," Vulin stated. He called Russia-Serbia military and technical cooperation successful, noting the Russian defense minister’s personal contribution.

"I want to thank you for the invitation to the Moscow Conference on International Security. We have Army Day at that time but I will come for one day," Vulin vowed.

The Serbian military will also take part in the International Army Games this year, he added.

"I sincerely hope that our results in the Tank Biathlon will be better this year. Last time, we failed to get into the final but I hope that this year we will at least reach the final," the Serbian defense minister went on.

"We will also take part in the Army-2020 forum. This is traditional," the Serbian defense minister concluded.

In turn, Shoigu commented that bilateral military cooperation was developing dynamically. The number of the two countries’ joint practical events is increasing with every passing year, he underscored.