The Russian and Serbian foreign ministers on Wednesday signed a series of documents, including a joint strategic declaration.

“We agreed to draft a new set of agreements ahead of the next meeting of our presidents next year. We also agreed that we will suggest that the presidents sign a declaration on a strategic partnership,” Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, left, and Serbia's FM Vuk Jeremic

Lavrov also said that Russia was “seriously concerned” following allegations of human organs, weapons and drug trafficking against Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci in a 27-page report of the Council of Europe.

“We should seek its broadest possible distribution,” Lavrov said.

Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic said he was not going to meet with Thaci.

Kosovo, a breakaway province of Serbia, unilaterally proclaimed independence in February 2008. Russia supported Belgrade in its refusal to recognize Kosovo’s independence.

Jeremic also noted that the future is uncertain for the Kosovo Albanian separatist Hashim Thaci following the report by Council of Europe representative Dick Marty that links Thaci to organized crime and organ extraction of Serbs.

“I don’t know what sort of future this person has if you take into account the report about the investigation from the Council of Europe about his participation in the heroin trade, human trafficking and human organs and his role as the head of one of the most organized criminal-mafia clans in the Balkans,” Jeremic said.

Ahead of Jeremic’s visit, Lavrov stressed that Serbia-Russia relations are characterized by a productive political dialogue, intensive high-level contacts – between the governments, parliaments, ministries – which indicates a tendency for bilateral relations to be raised to the level of strategic partnership.

Lavrov said that certain Russian companies are negotiating with the Serbian companies on the projects of construction of new electric power plants. Such projects are not beneficial only for one side, but are rather of mutual benefit, Lavrov underscored.

Jeremic said that Serbia’s President Tadic may visit Moscow early next year when the strategic deal will be signed.

December 15, 2010
XINHUA, Tanjug, Serbianna

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