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Serbia sees its path in continuing cooperation with Russia, says president

Serbia’s foreign policy envisages joining the European Union while maintaining friendly relations with Moscow and Beijing and also developing ties with Washington

VALJEVO /Serbia/, March 23. /TASS/. Serbia sees its path in continuing cooperation with Russia, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Tuesday answering a question from TASS.

"Serbia cooperates with Russia in many areas and will continue this cooperation. That will be Serbia’s path. One thing is clear, however: Serbia will continue its freedom-loving tradition of defending its sovereignty and the fight for the interests of its country," the Serbian leader said.

Serbia’s foreign policy envisages joining the European Union while maintaining friendly relations with Moscow and Beijing and also developing ties with Washington. Belgrade is determined to maintain military neutrality refusing to join NATO and other military blocs. That stance draws objections in the West, which has made it clear more than once that European integration was only possible if two requirements were met. The issue at hand is recognizing Kosovo’s independence and ending friendly relations with Russia.

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FACTBOX: Collective Security Treaty Organization

The Collective Security Treaty came into force on April 20, 1994 to herald the emergence what would eventually become the Collective Security Treaty Organization. The six member-countries are Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan

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