First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia welcomed the Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, Serey Lavrov, who began today his two-day visit to Belgrade where he will have talks with the highest Government officials.

Minister Dacic pointed out that the visit of his Russian counterpart was another step in the development of political relations between two brotherly and friendly nations. "Russia and Serbia have signed the Strategic Partnership Agreement and we wish our relations to continue to develop in the spirit of friendship", added Minister Dacic after the Russian Foreign Minister arrived at Belgrade's Nikola Tesla International Airport.

In a brief statement to the press, Lavrov said that he highly appreciated the position of Serbia which wanted unity of Europe, rather than its disunity because, as he said, Russia wanted all EU countries and Eurasia to be within the common economic and humanitarian area.

Minister Lavrov left the airport for the Cemetery of the Liberators of Belgrade where he laid wreaths at the Monument to Soviet Soldiers. The visit, at the request of the Russian Minister, began by remembering the Belgrade offensive in WWII.

Minister Dacic and Lavrov will meet on Tuesday, when they will also sign the Plan of Consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation for 2015-2016.

Source: Tanjug