This issue worries Serbia because the contract for the supply of Russian natural gas at a price of 270 dollars per 1,000 cubic meters expires at the end of the year, the Kremlin’s official website informed.

“I think we will reach an agreement. We will instruct commercial entities to complete the work,” the Russian president said.

Forecasts for Serbia’s economic development will depend on the price approved by the country under the new agreement, since foreign investment in that nation’s economy, with an increase of 7.5 percent this year, is directly dependent on turning to gas for energy.

Vucic explained that Belgrade could not hold the first price proposal, of 780 to 790 dollars per 1,000 cubic meters of gas.

Putin highlighted the development of bilateral cooperation in the military field, by holding joint drills, in addition to exchanges between security agencies, defense ministries and the Major General Staff, and the training of Serbian officers in Russian universities.

In addition, he wished his counterpart success in the upcoming April elections.

“I want to express words of appreciation to you for the personal attention you pay to the development of bilateral relations and I hope Serbian voters will also appreciate it,” Putin said.

The Serbian head of State noted that ties between Moscow and Belgrade are at the highest level in history, and described the strategic relationship with Moscow as a privilege.

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