Serbia has asked Russia for a free-trade regime for certain classes of goods, news agency TASS reported Tuesday, citing Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak.
Serbia would like the proposed free-trade regime to cover sugar, cigarettes, alcohol, meat, poultry and cars, Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said. The agreement would cover bilateral trade in these goods, and would therefore require changes to duties paid by both Russia and Serbia.
Russia's Novak noted that, as Russia is a member of the Customs Union alongside Belarus and Kazakhstan, the proposed trade regime would have to be discussed by all three members of the Russia-led trade union before a decision was made.
Russia's Agriculture Ministry earlier stated that, due to the increasing pressure of EU sanctions on Russia's economy, Serbia had a unique chance to expand into the Russian market. The ministry noted its interest in increasing imports of Serbian meat, milk, fruit and vegetables. Trade turnover between Russia and Serbia in agricultural goods could even double, from $270 million to $500 million per year, Russian Agriculture Minister Nikolai Fedorov said.
Serbia and Russia have traditionally been allies, with cultural and historical linkages reaching back centuries. Despite being a candidate for membership in the EU, Serbia has toed a fine line over Russia's annexation of the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea, notably abstaining from an UN vote in favor of Ukraine's territorial integrity.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.