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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr President, I am very glad to see you.

I would like to thank you for coming to Moscow to attend the celebrations marking the 75^th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War and to watch the military parade. Tomorrow, Serbian army units will march on Red Square together with their fellow Russian comrades-in-arms.

Our countries are developing fairly pragmatic but still very special, very good allied relations.

At the beginning of our meeting, I would like to congratulate you on your party’s convincing victory in the parliamentary elections in your country.

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic: Thank you very much.

Vladimir Putin: Our relations are developing in all areas, including the economy. I believe last year our trade grew by 22.6 percent, and this year, in the first quarter of this year, it has already increased by 7.7 percent.

We actively and successfully cooperated in countering the coronavirus infection, continue investment activities, develop relations in all areas, including security and countering current threats – not only pandemics but also organised crime and terrorism. We are promoting our military and military-technical cooperation.

Naturally, we are developing cultural, educational and spiritual ties.

I am very happy to see you. Welcome once again!

Aleksandar Vucic: Mr President, my dear friend,

I am very glad to have this opportunity to meet with you today and discuss the entire range of our relations.

Serbia and Russia are sincere friends. First of all, I would like to thank you for always finding the time for Serbia. This is very important for us, and we appreciate it very much.

We really have friendly, constructive and trustworthy relations in all areas. Our political ties are at the top level. I hope that, just as always, together we will be able to do a great deal to increase our trade.

Once again, I would like to thank you personally, Mr President and my dear friend, for your unequivocal support of Serbia’s vital national and state interests, especially its territorial integrity and sovereignty.

As you know, the situation in the Western Balkans is extremely complicated. We will talk with you on this issue.

I would like to emphasise once again that Serbia, a free and independent country, maintains its military neutrality. I believe it is the only country in the region with this policy.

Thank you once again for your support and assistance in countering the coronavirus infection. We thank you very much, and we thank the Russian people very much.

Your invitation to attend the Victory Day Parade tomorrow is a great honour for me and my country. We are proud of our joint victory. Of course, you have done everything to preserve the historical memory of World War II. We will help you in this regard.

Thank you once again for your support. Thank you for your congratulations.

And, of course, we expect to see you in Belgrade, in Serbia before the end of this year. I hope we will have an opportunity to reciprocate the warm reception and hospitality that you always accord us.

Once again, thank you very much.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you.

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