Vucic reminded Putin: Serbia is the only neutral country in the Balkans

Russia and Serbia are developing very pragmatic, but at the same time special, very good allied relations. This was announced by President Vladimir Putin during a meeting with his Serbian counterpart Alexander Vucic on June 23 in the Kremlin. Earlier in the day, Alexander Vucic arrived in Moscow to participate in ceremonies on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. Putin congratulated his guest on his party's convincing victory in the parliamentary elections in Serbia on June 21 and noted that relations between the two countries are developing in all areas in the field of economics, education, culture, and the spiritual sphere. Last year, trade grew, in my opinion, by 22.6%, and this year for the first quarter of this year already by 7.7%. We have actively and unsuccessfully cooperated in the fight against coronavirus infection, continue investment activities, develop relations in all areas, including security issues, combating modern threats not only pandemics, but also such as organized crime, terrorism. We work in the field of military cooperation, in the field of military-technical cooperation, the Kremlin press service quoted President Putin as saying. Alexander Vucic, for his part, called bilateral Serbian-Russian relations friendly, constructive and trusting. He also expressed great gratitude to Russia and President Putin personally for supporting Serbia's vital national and state interests, especially its territorial integrity and sovereignty. As you know, we in the Western Balkans have a very difficult political situation. Let's talk to you about this. I would like to reiterate that Serbia, as a free and independent State, remains militarily neutral. I think that it is the only country in this region with such a definition, Vucic said. The Serbian leader also thanked Russia for its assistance during the coronavirus pandemic and invited Vladimir Putin to visit Belgrade before the end of this year. After meeting with Putin, Alexander Vucic told the Serbian media that behind closed doors the two leaders discussed all ideas and ways to solve the Kosovo problem. Putin expressed his opinion very wisely, first of all respecting the position of Serbia. Russia respects Serbia, this is beyond all doubt, the Blitz publication quoted Vucic as saying. At the same time, Vucic added that it is extremely important for him to hear Vladimir Putin's position on the Kosovo issue. He is too wise to do something directly, but he knows how to point out certain things, and I am grateful to him for this, the President of Serbia said. Recall that on June 18, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited Belgrade. During a meeting with Alexander Vucic and head of Serbian diplomacy Ivica Dacic, he discussed the topic of the Kosovo settlement. According to Serbian media, the meetings of Alexander Vucic with Lavrov on June 18 in Belgrade and with Putin on June 23 in Moscow are extremely important in the light of the upcoming trip with