Sergey Lavrov - Does Russia give instructions to Serbia?

MULTI SUBTITLES
Speech and answers to media questions by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov following the results of the 30th meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council, Skopje, December 1, 2023.

"Question: You spoke about security and stability in the Balkans. In September 2022, Serbia signed a foreign policy agreement with Russia. Serbia was a source of inter-ethnic clashes and grave instability, at least for the Balkan countries, including Kosovo. Recently, an armed aggression against the Serbs took place in northern Kosovo. Does Russia give instructions to Serbia? Do you instruct them as regards destabilisation in the Balkans?

Sergey Lavrov: Did you say Russia signed an agreement with Serbia?

Question: Yes.

Sergey Lavrov: On what issue?

Question: Regarding consultations on foreign policy, in September 2022, with Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic.

Sergey Lavrov: It’s a profound misperception. We signed a plan of consultations between our foreign ministries with Minister Nikola Selakovic in New York. It says, for example, that in January, heads of the departments in charge of European cooperation hold a meeting. It March, there will be a meeting of the department heads in charge of the Mediterranean, and so on. This is not policy alignment.

Nobody was concealing anything. There were Russian and Serbian journalists present who filmed the signing of the plan. Meanwhile, Washington promptly made threatening noises: How dare the Serbs sign a plan of consultations with Russia who is an aggressor. And you had it stuck in your head that it was policy alignment. I am really asking you not to let your masters down if you represent an outlet you believe is respectable."