Russia, Serbia sign economic cooperation program for 2026-2031 - Economic Development Ministry
MOSCOW. April 27 (Interfax) - Russia and Serbia signed an economic cooperation program for 2026-2031 in Belgrade on Friday following a meeting of their intergovernmental committee for trade, economic and scientific and technical cooperation, Russia's Economic Development Ministry reported.
The Russian delegation was led by Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov, who also met with Serbian Prime Minister Djuro Macut on Friday.
"Russia and Serbia truly have great potential for cooperation. Despite all obstacles, we are moving forward and our meeting is an excellent example of this," Reshetnikov said at the meeting with Macut.
The ministry recalled that the terms for the extension of a natural gas supply contract to June 30, 2026 were agreed following a March meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and a telephone conversation between the two countries' leaders on March 30.
"We are conducting a direct dialog with our Serbian partners. We are meeting all the obligations we assumed and ensuring stable and favorable supplies of Russian gas," Reshetnikov said.
Separate mention was given to Russian Railways' (RZD) work in Serbia. A number of projects to modernize railway infrastructure with a combined cost of more than $1 billion have been carried out in the past 13 years.
"The Russian side expressed its willingness to begin the reconstruction of the Valjevo-Vrbnica section, including with the possible participation of Chinese partners," the ministry said in its press release.
The ministry also said that the economic cooperation program for 2026-2031 encompasses both traditional sectors, such as energy, transportation and agriculture, as well as new niches such as space, e-government and low-carbon development.
The countries also signed five memorandums on the application of crop protection agents, winemaking, science, higher education, and control over the quality and safety of medical products.
Reshetnikov said documents in the fields of space research, tourism, and information and communications technologies are at an advanced stage of readiness. New areas that were actively discussed included robotics and artificial intelligence.
"On one hand, Serbia has scientific intellectual potential, but on the other hand, we understand that many projects require entry into large markets and broad international cooperation. We are exploring possibilities. Our relations with our Serbian friends are only strengthening and deepening in all promising and relevant sectors," Reshetnikov said.
