Official website of the President of Russia

Transcripts   /

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr President, friends, allow me to cordially welcome all of you!

This is your first visit to Russia since you took office as President. We are very glad to see you in Moscow. You and I already enjoyed a good, long-standing relationship during your tenure as Prime Minister. I hope that this will continue in the future.

Next February, we will be celebrating a remarkable date – the 180^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. It is my great pleasure to note that our relations are developing, above all, in the economic sphere. More goods are being traded and direct investments are increasing.

In short, we have things to discuss. We are glad to see you.

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic: Mr President, thank you for your warm welcome and hospitality here in Moscow. And as always, there is no need for me to repeat that Serbia and Russia are friendly countries.

What should be stressed, as you have already said, is that we have successfully managed to increase our trade and have done much as far as our cooperation is concerned. We expect that this political and economic cooperation can be brought to the highest level.

Once again, thank you very much for your personal support and Russia’s support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Serbia.

Let me congratulate you on your decision to run for President of the Russian Federation. I know that the Russian people will decide their own future, but I want to wish you every success.

And I want to assure the Russian people that Serbia appreciates all that you have done for us. We will be forever grateful for your help and support. Again, thank you very much.

I am confident that we will be able to get a lot done today. My thanks to the Russian people and you as President of the Russian Federation.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you.

<…>