Economy Minister Adrijana Mesarović highlighted Serbia’s significant trade cooperation with BRICS member countries, which collectively represent 45% of the world’s population and account for 27% of global GDP. “Serbia is absolutely the place to be in such markets,” Mesarović stated in an interview with RT Balkan.
Discussing economic relations with Russia, she noted that while they are currently satisfactory, there is room for improvement. “Last year, we recorded a total foreign trade volume of 2.7 billion euros, with a deficit on the Serbian side, indicating there is much more we can do. In the first eight months of this year, foreign trade amounted to 1.5 billion euros, with Russian gas being a dominant factor in our exchanges,” Mesarović explained.
She emphasized that Serbia does not align itself strictly with either Western or Eastern blocs but is open to cooperating with anyone who respects its territorial integrity and sovereignty, and who advocates for peace and sound economic collaboration.
Mesarović also expressed Serbia’s commitment to preventing sanctions against Russia, drawing on the country’s own experiences with sanctions. “We are facing pressures, but we will remain consistent in our independent policy,” she asserted.
She pointed out that Russia respects Serbia’s territorial integrity and has supported its stance on Kosovo and Metohija, referencing Russia’s vote against a UN resolution that labeled the Serbian people as genocidal.
Regarding energy agreements, Mesarović noted that a deal had been reached with Russia on gas supply, as discussed in a recent conversation between Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Russian President Vladimir Putin. “The agreement includes six million cubic meters, plus two million cubic meters for companies, and an additional three million cubic meters, provided flexibly according to needs. Importantly, the price agreed upon is lower than market rates,” she added.
