BELGRADE -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev was in Belgrade for a historic visit – the first by a Russian president to Serbia as a sovereign and independent country.
BELGRADE -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev was in Belgrade for a historic visit – the first by a Russian president to Serbia as a sovereign and independent country.
Source: B92, Beta, Tanjug
Close the entire text of the article here
The president's motorcade reached the Palace of Serbia in New Belgrade half an hour later, where he was welcomed with a military ceremony and by his host, Serbian President Boris Tadić.
As the two presidents emerged from their face-to-face talks, Tadić told reporters that relations between Serbia and Russia have been improving for years, and that there is mutual understanding in all the areas where the two states are active.
He expressed his gratitude to Medvedev for the principled and strong support that Serbia has received from Russia in the fight to defend its integrity in Kosovo.
Tadić told a joint new conference that his meeting with Medvedev in Belgrade this Tuesday was "exceptional".
The Serbian president stated that Russia is am essential factor of international policy, world economy and international security.
Tadić concluded that during the conversation today, he reiterated his position that the global economic crisis also represents a security challenge, and that a new economic and security architecture of Europe and the world is needed.
The Russian president also addressed reporters to say that Moscow will defend Serbia's sovereignty "in its entirety, when it comes to Kosovo".
Medvedev described his talks with Tadić as "excellent", and said that while relations between the two countries are developing, new projects will create and even closer bond between them.
"We are on the right path now and these projects are showing the historical bond between Serbia and Russia. NIS modernization, participation in the construction of South Stream, Banatski Dvor underground storage, all these are big projects that Europe's energy security depends on, something we've been working on actively," stated the Russian leader.
Medvedev also stressed that Russia supports Serbia's decision regarding EU integrations.
He noted that there is already large-scale exchange in the area of culture, and that "relations between the people of Serbia and Russia have lasted for centuries because we are spiritually close".
Earlier in the day, Medvedev was greeted at the airport by First Deputy PM Ivica Dačić and Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić. They, along with Prime Minister Mirko Cvetković, also arrived to the Palace of Serbia.
After their meeting, Medvedev and Tadić joined their delegations for the signing of a series of agreements.
Representatives of the government of Serbia and Russia signed five interstate agreements on cooperation.
An agreement on cooperation in the area of humanitarian response in emergency situations, prevention of technological accidents and removal of their consequences was signed by Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dačić and Russian Minister for Emergency Situations Sergei Shoigu.
Dačić, in his capacity of first deputy PM, and Russia's FM Sergei Lavrov signed an agreement on cooperation in the area of internal affairs.
Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić and his Russian counterpart Lavrov signed an agreement on cooperation in the areas of culture, science, sports and youth policy for the 2009-2011 period.
Serbian National Assembly President Slavica Đukić-Dejanović and Deputy Speaker of the Russian State Duma Aleksandr Babakov signed an agreement on parliamentary cooperation between the two countries.
State Secretary in the Serbian Ministry of Economy and Regional Development Vesna Arsić and Governor of the Kursk Region Aleskandr Mikhaylov signed a memorandum of cooperation between the administration of Russia's region of Kursk and the Serbian Ministry.
Srbijagas Director Dušan Bajatović and Gazprom CEO Aleksey Miller signed a contract on the South Stream pipeline and setting up of a joint-venture company for the Banatski Dvor gas storage facility.
Meanwhile, security had been raised to the highest level around the venue of the meeting.
6,000 police officers were on duty during Medvedev’s visit. The Russian president, who was scheduled to spend around eight hours in the capital, also addressed MPs in parliament today.
Serbian security was at Medvedev’s beck and call from the moment he entered Serbian airspace until the moment he left.
Serbian police (MUP) and the security services (BIA) formed a special committee made up of members of various agencies. Russian special forces arrived in Belgrade last week.
Some 570 journalists - 55 Russian, 40 from the region and abroad - were reporting from the visit today.
I'll leave the tears of anger for you raso as your dream of Russia usurping Serbian soverignty and annexing the country will never become true!
Its pretty clear Peggy I don't like autocrats and cult of personality, never have, never will. I don't like those that stifle free speech or opposing points of view in the media.
As for the future with Putin and Medvedev let us see who is right.
If you think that I should lick the boots of Putin because of Kosovo think again. I've never brownosed anybody and I'm not starting now. Having said that I won't go out of my way to criticise him either - unless somebody foolishly provokes me.
(bganon, 21 October 2009 15:40)
Do you believe that spitting at Russia all the time will change something or will it add to your image ?
(Rote Kapelle, 20 October 2009 19:56)
- Since when criticizing Putin means "spitting at Russia"?
- IMO, it's Putin who is spitting at Russia.
- This is not about my image.
- This was about Medvedev versus Putin.
- It looks, like Medvedev is in BG, not Putin, so what your fuss?
----
Your time is over. Saakashvili too knows languages so what ?
(Rote Kapelle, 20 October 2009 19:56)
The time of 'Comrades' and 'Poglavnik-s' is not over tough. Some rare specimens are both.
(Ataman, 21 October 2009 11:42)
"the first (visit) by a Russian president to Serbia as a sovereign and independent country."
Indeed, I congratulated Serbia on finally becoming a sovereign and independent country both after the divorce with Montenegro and after Kosova declared independence (ie, the second time, in 2008), but unfortunately not many posters here appreciated it. But B92 appears to understand, judging by this wording.
(DimTuc, 21 October 2009 08:22)
cause belgrade is visited by the leader of the free world and not a criminal like biden, or belgrade get´s a statue of europes finest culture?
are you still waiting for a visit of the pope?
(raso, 21 October 2009 08:12)
I wish Medevedev well and wish him good luck in his forthcoming battle against Putin.
But I don't think he stands a chance. Wouldn't you love to be a fly on the wall?
I bet they spend more time talking about Russian firms buying Serbian ones than they do about kosovo.
(bganon, 20 October 2009 14:56)
Without Russian help Kosovo would have a seat in the UN by now so I don't understand where all this is coming from.
I think you should be a little more grateful to both Putin and Medvedev.
BTW, Medvedev has Putin's blessing because without it he would not be the president today. They are in total agreement and I really can't see where you get your idea that there is any competition between the two.
One is only keeping the seat warm for the other.
(Peggy, 21 October 2009 06:44)
i thought friscos sonatas were meant to reach people's hearts, not give heart attacks... ;)
(stariVujadin, 20 October 2009 22:03)
Well he is too busy for now to lauch his train of peace (good idea by the way..), but he hasn't found the right impartial engine sofar!!
(The Swiss, 20 October 2009 23:40)
Messages and signals from today's meetings are pretty straightforward.
Ordinary people of Serbia feel like this friendship is ought to be especially as now a time has come to put aside all ideological disputes that were clouding Russian and Serbian minds during the communist era.
We are getting along very well, it doesn't have to be perfect yet. let's not now put some extreme expectations and get ulcer because Tadic mentioned Kosovo more times than Medvedev, or because they spoke more about business than Kosovo.
I hope though that they tackled the issue of the RS.
(vase, 20 October 2009 23:13)
... we will have to read long moralising books sent from frisco on this forum about these two honorable guys in the case of such meeting. And the author himself will be close to a heart attack.
(szemi, 20 October 2009 18:20)
i thought friscos sonatas were meant to reach people's hearts, not give heart attacks... ;)
(stariVujadin, 20 October 2009 22:03)
”And I, too, want the Putin-era to end for good. Plus countless Russians I know”
Who cares what you want ? What Russians d’you know ? Come here and see what we think of Putin-era. There are things we want to change or replace here but in general we don’t want liberals or other West sponsored people come here again to tell us how to destroy our industry our army and our spirit. You have moral right to talk only on behalf of Gordievsky , Kasparov , Kalugin and other traitor Russians but in no case on behalf of those who stayed here to improve our beloved Fatherland.
Didn’t you find another day for your poisoned comments ? Look how happy the two peoples are with the visit ! Do you believe that spitting at Russia all the time will change something or will it add to your image ? Your time is over. Saakashvili too knows languages so what ?
(Rote Kapelle, 20 October 2009 19:56)
still waiting for a putin/dodik meeting...
(stariVujadin, 20 October 2009 17:26)
Well a matter of not too long time I guess.However we will have to read long moralising books sent from frisco on this forum about these two honorable guys in the case of such meeting.And the author himself will be close to a heart attack.
(szemi, 20 October 2009 18:20)
"I wonder if the Balkan Brown Bear were here before the Illyrians and Dacians...?"
Brazilskifarmer
Actually the Illyrians and Dacians came to the Balkans 1056 gazillian years before the dinosaurs. A couple of weeks ago archaeologist found dried up heroin from Illyrians/Dacians era. This is proof that albanians, in deed, were here before anyone else.
(MikeC, 20 October 2009 18:10)
Thanks for the link, I wonder if the Balkan Brown Bear were here before the Illyrians and Dacians,or they arrived together with the Serbs,Huns,Bulgars and Magyarok?
(Brazilskifarmer, 20 October 2009 17:15)
Wouldn't you love to be a fly on the wall?
(bganon, 20 October 2009 14:56)
YES.
And I, too, want the Putin-era to end for good.
Plus countless Russians I know. But unfortunately it is not a "fancy" thing here from Russians to admit it.
We should not forget to "thank" Eltsin, too - he deserves the biggest "credit" for Putin: Putin was APPOINTED (again: APPOINTED) by Eltsin because Putin promised (and kept the promise!) not to touch Eltsin's family for the illegally accumulated wealth.
As far as his popularity: indeed, Russia did grow stronger and better in his time. I dare to say, not BECAUSE of Putin - but DESPITE of Putin.
Many factors contributed to the positive developments lately - but these would be even better without him.
(Ataman, 20 October 2009 15:59)
helicopters are flying over my house!
(ron, 20 October 2009 14:26)
That's OK, nothing unusual. If, however, the original folks who once lived all over Medvedja would freely roam the streets, than I would be more worried.
I wish Medevedev well and wish him good luck in his forthcoming battle against Putin.
But I don't think he stands a chance. Wouldn't you love to be a fly on the wall?
I bet they spend more time talking about Russian firms buying Serbian ones than they do about kosovo.
(bganon, 20 October 2009 14:56)
I wish Medevedev well and wish him good luck in his forthcoming battle against Putin.
But I don't think he stands a chance. Wouldn't you love to be a fly on the wall?
I bet they spend more time talking about Russian firms buying Serbian ones than they do about kosovo.
(bganon, 20 October 2009 14:56)
”And I, too, want the Putin-era to end for good. Plus countless Russians I know”
Who cares what you want ? What Russians d’you know ? Come here and see what we think of Putin-era. There are things we want to change or replace here but in general we don’t want liberals or other West sponsored people come here again to tell us how to destroy our industry our army and our spirit. You have moral right to talk only on behalf of Gordievsky , Kasparov , Kalugin and other traitor Russians but in no case on behalf of those who stayed here to improve our beloved Fatherland.
Didn’t you find another day for your poisoned comments ? Look how happy the two peoples are with the visit ! Do you believe that spitting at Russia all the time will change something or will it add to your image ? Your time is over. Saakashvili too knows languages so what ?
(Rote Kapelle, 20 October 2009 19:56)
still waiting for a putin/dodik meeting...
(stariVujadin, 20 October 2009 17:26)
Well a matter of not too long time I guess.However we will have to read long moralising books sent from frisco on this forum about these two honorable guys in the case of such meeting.And the author himself will be close to a heart attack.
(szemi, 20 October 2009 18:20)
"I wonder if the Balkan Brown Bear were here before the Illyrians and Dacians...?"
Brazilskifarmer
Actually the Illyrians and Dacians came to the Balkans 1056 gazillian years before the dinosaurs. A couple of weeks ago archaeologist found dried up heroin from Illyrians/Dacians era. This is proof that albanians, in deed, were here before anyone else.
(MikeC, 20 October 2009 18:10)
... we will have to read long moralising books sent from frisco on this forum about these two honorable guys in the case of such meeting. And the author himself will be close to a heart attack.
(szemi, 20 October 2009 18:20)
i thought friscos sonatas were meant to reach people's hearts, not give heart attacks... ;)
(stariVujadin, 20 October 2009 22:03)
Wouldn't you love to be a fly on the wall?
(bganon, 20 October 2009 14:56)
YES.
And I, too, want the Putin-era to end for good.
Plus countless Russians I know. But unfortunately it is not a "fancy" thing here from Russians to admit it.
We should not forget to "thank" Eltsin, too - he deserves the biggest "credit" for Putin: Putin was APPOINTED (again: APPOINTED) by Eltsin because Putin promised (and kept the promise!) not to touch Eltsin's family for the illegally accumulated wealth.
As far as his popularity: indeed, Russia did grow stronger and better in his time. I dare to say, not BECAUSE of Putin - but DESPITE of Putin.
Many factors contributed to the positive developments lately - but these would be even better without him.
(Ataman, 20 October 2009 15:59)
Messages and signals from today's meetings are pretty straightforward.
Ordinary people of Serbia feel like this friendship is ought to be especially as now a time has come to put aside all ideological disputes that were clouding Russian and Serbian minds during the communist era.
We are getting along very well, it doesn't have to be perfect yet. let's not now put some extreme expectations and get ulcer because Tadic mentioned Kosovo more times than Medvedev, or because they spoke more about business than Kosovo.
I hope though that they tackled the issue of the RS.
(vase, 20 October 2009 23:13)
Thanks for the link, I wonder if the Balkan Brown Bear were here before the Illyrians and Dacians,or they arrived together with the Serbs,Huns,Bulgars and Magyarok?
(Brazilskifarmer, 20 October 2009 17:15)
cause belgrade is visited by the leader of the free world and not a criminal like biden, or belgrade get´s a statue of europes finest culture?
are you still waiting for a visit of the pope?
(raso, 21 October 2009 08:12)
i thought friscos sonatas were meant to reach people's hearts, not give heart attacks... ;)
(stariVujadin, 20 October 2009 22:03)
Well he is too busy for now to lauch his train of peace (good idea by the way..), but he hasn't found the right impartial engine sofar!!
(The Swiss, 20 October 2009 23:40)
I wish Medevedev well and wish him good luck in his forthcoming battle against Putin.
But I don't think he stands a chance. Wouldn't you love to be a fly on the wall?
I bet they spend more time talking about Russian firms buying Serbian ones than they do about kosovo.
(bganon, 20 October 2009 14:56)
Without Russian help Kosovo would have a seat in the UN by now so I don't understand where all this is coming from.
I think you should be a little more grateful to both Putin and Medvedev.
BTW, Medvedev has Putin's blessing because without it he would not be the president today. They are in total agreement and I really can't see where you get your idea that there is any competition between the two.
One is only keeping the seat warm for the other.
(Peggy, 21 October 2009 06:44)
I'll leave the tears of anger for you raso as your dream of Russia usurping Serbian soverignty and annexing the country will never become true!
Its pretty clear Peggy I don't like autocrats and cult of personality, never have, never will. I don't like those that stifle free speech or opposing points of view in the media.
As for the future with Putin and Medvedev let us see who is right.
If you think that I should lick the boots of Putin because of Kosovo think again. I've never brownosed anybody and I'm not starting now. Having said that I won't go out of my way to criticise him either - unless somebody foolishly provokes me.
(bganon, 21 October 2009 15:40)
helicopters are flying over my house!
(ron, 20 October 2009 14:26)
That's OK, nothing unusual. If, however, the original folks who once lived all over Medvedja would freely roam the streets, than I would be more worried.
"the first (visit) by a Russian president to Serbia as a sovereign and independent country."
Indeed, I congratulated Serbia on finally becoming a sovereign and independent country both after the divorce with Montenegro and after Kosova declared independence (ie, the second time, in 2008), but unfortunately not many posters here appreciated it. But B92 appears to understand, judging by this wording.
(DimTuc, 21 October 2009 08:22)
Do you believe that spitting at Russia all the time will change something or will it add to your image ?
(Rote Kapelle, 20 October 2009 19:56)
- Since when criticizing Putin means "spitting at Russia"?
- IMO, it's Putin who is spitting at Russia.
- This is not about my image.
- This was about Medvedev versus Putin.
- It looks, like Medvedev is in BG, not Putin, so what your fuss?
----
Your time is over. Saakashvili too knows languages so what ?
(Rote Kapelle, 20 October 2009 19:56)
The time of 'Comrades' and 'Poglavnik-s' is not over tough. Some rare specimens are both.
(Ataman, 21 October 2009 11:42)
Wouldn't you love to be a fly on the wall?
(bganon, 20 October 2009 14:56)
YES.
And I, too, want the Putin-era to end for good.
Plus countless Russians I know. But unfortunately it is not a "fancy" thing here from Russians to admit it.
We should not forget to "thank" Eltsin, too - he deserves the biggest "credit" for Putin: Putin was APPOINTED (again: APPOINTED) by Eltsin because Putin promised (and kept the promise!) not to touch Eltsin's family for the illegally accumulated wealth.
As far as his popularity: indeed, Russia did grow stronger and better in his time. I dare to say, not BECAUSE of Putin - but DESPITE of Putin.
Many factors contributed to the positive developments lately - but these would be even better without him.
(Ataman, 20 October 2009 15:59)
I wish Medevedev well and wish him good luck in his forthcoming battle against Putin.
But I don't think he stands a chance. Wouldn't you love to be a fly on the wall?
I bet they spend more time talking about Russian firms buying Serbian ones than they do about kosovo.
(bganon, 20 October 2009 14:56)
”And I, too, want the Putin-era to end for good. Plus countless Russians I know”
Who cares what you want ? What Russians d’you know ? Come here and see what we think of Putin-era. There are things we want to change or replace here but in general we don’t want liberals or other West sponsored people come here again to tell us how to destroy our industry our army and our spirit. You have moral right to talk only on behalf of Gordievsky , Kasparov , Kalugin and other traitor Russians but in no case on behalf of those who stayed here to improve our beloved Fatherland.
Didn’t you find another day for your poisoned comments ? Look how happy the two peoples are with the visit ! Do you believe that spitting at Russia all the time will change something or will it add to your image ? Your time is over. Saakashvili too knows languages so what ?
(Rote Kapelle, 20 October 2009 19:56)
"I wonder if the Balkan Brown Bear were here before the Illyrians and Dacians...?"
Brazilskifarmer
Actually the Illyrians and Dacians came to the Balkans 1056 gazillian years before the dinosaurs. A couple of weeks ago archaeologist found dried up heroin from Illyrians/Dacians era. This is proof that albanians, in deed, were here before anyone else.
(MikeC, 20 October 2009 18:10)
Thanks for the link, I wonder if the Balkan Brown Bear were here before the Illyrians and Dacians,or they arrived together with the Serbs,Huns,Bulgars and Magyarok?
(Brazilskifarmer, 20 October 2009 17:15)
helicopters are flying over my house!
(ron, 20 October 2009 14:26)
That's OK, nothing unusual. If, however, the original folks who once lived all over Medvedja would freely roam the streets, than I would be more worried.
"the first (visit) by a Russian president to Serbia as a sovereign and independent country."
Indeed, I congratulated Serbia on finally becoming a sovereign and independent country both after the divorce with Montenegro and after Kosova declared independence (ie, the second time, in 2008), but unfortunately not many posters here appreciated it. But B92 appears to understand, judging by this wording.
(DimTuc, 21 October 2009 08:22)
cause belgrade is visited by the leader of the free world and not a criminal like biden, or belgrade get´s a statue of europes finest culture?
are you still waiting for a visit of the pope?
(raso, 21 October 2009 08:12)
I'll leave the tears of anger for you raso as your dream of Russia usurping Serbian soverignty and annexing the country will never become true!
Its pretty clear Peggy I don't like autocrats and cult of personality, never have, never will. I don't like those that stifle free speech or opposing points of view in the media.
As for the future with Putin and Medvedev let us see who is right.
If you think that I should lick the boots of Putin because of Kosovo think again. I've never brownosed anybody and I'm not starting now. Having said that I won't go out of my way to criticise him either - unless somebody foolishly provokes me.
(bganon, 21 October 2009 15:40)
I wish Medevedev well and wish him good luck in his forthcoming battle against Putin.
But I don't think he stands a chance. Wouldn't you love to be a fly on the wall?
I bet they spend more time talking about Russian firms buying Serbian ones than they do about kosovo.
(bganon, 20 October 2009 14:56)
Without Russian help Kosovo would have a seat in the UN by now so I don't understand where all this is coming from.
I think you should be a little more grateful to both Putin and Medvedev.
BTW, Medvedev has Putin's blessing because without it he would not be the president today. They are in total agreement and I really can't see where you get your idea that there is any competition between the two.
One is only keeping the seat warm for the other.
(Peggy, 21 October 2009 06:44)
Do you believe that spitting at Russia all the time will change something or will it add to your image ?
(Rote Kapelle, 20 October 2009 19:56)
- Since when criticizing Putin means "spitting at Russia"?
- IMO, it's Putin who is spitting at Russia.
- This is not about my image.
- This was about Medvedev versus Putin.
- It looks, like Medvedev is in BG, not Putin, so what your fuss?
----
Your time is over. Saakashvili too knows languages so what ?
(Rote Kapelle, 20 October 2009 19:56)
The time of 'Comrades' and 'Poglavnik-s' is not over tough. Some rare specimens are both.
(Ataman, 21 October 2009 11:42)
still waiting for a putin/dodik meeting...
(stariVujadin, 20 October 2009 17:26)
Well a matter of not too long time I guess.However we will have to read long moralising books sent from frisco on this forum about these two honorable guys in the case of such meeting.And the author himself will be close to a heart attack.
(szemi, 20 October 2009 18:20)
Messages and signals from today's meetings are pretty straightforward.
Ordinary people of Serbia feel like this friendship is ought to be especially as now a time has come to put aside all ideological disputes that were clouding Russian and Serbian minds during the communist era.
We are getting along very well, it doesn't have to be perfect yet. let's not now put some extreme expectations and get ulcer because Tadic mentioned Kosovo more times than Medvedev, or because they spoke more about business than Kosovo.
I hope though that they tackled the issue of the RS.
(vase, 20 October 2009 23:13)
... we will have to read long moralising books sent from frisco on this forum about these two honorable guys in the case of such meeting. And the author himself will be close to a heart attack.
(szemi, 20 October 2009 18:20)
i thought friscos sonatas were meant to reach people's hearts, not give heart attacks... ;)
(stariVujadin, 20 October 2009 22:03)
i thought friscos sonatas were meant to reach people's hearts, not give heart attacks... ;)
(stariVujadin, 20 October 2009 22:03)
Well he is too busy for now to lauch his train of peace (good idea by the way..), but he hasn't found the right impartial engine sofar!!
(The Swiss, 20 October 2009 23:40)