Serbia boosts ties with Russia

Belgrade is eager for good relations with Russia

By Steve Rosenberg in Moscow

The Prime Minister of Serbia, Zoran Djindjic, has been holding talks in Moscow in an attempt to boost ties between Serbia and Russia.

When former President Slobodan Milosevic was swept from power in Belgrade just over four months ago, Moscow appeared to panic.

It was certainly painfully slow in recognising Serbia's new leadership.

As a result, Russia ran the risk of losing considerable influence in the Balkans.

Helping hand

Now however, Mr Djindjic has delivered a message which must have come as music to Moscow's ears.

Belgrade, he said, was just as eager for good relations with Russia as it was with the West.

And in return Moscow was more than happy to offer Serbia a helping hand in restoring the country's crumbling infrastructure and economy.

Russian engineers are to repair Serbia's electricity network and there will be military and technical assistance too.

Zoran Djindjic held talks with the Russian Foreign Minister as well

Mr Djindjic is also hoping that Moscow will increase the supply of gas to help give Serbia's economy a kick start.

By maintaining strong ties with Belgrade, Russia stands to benefit, not only politically but also economically.

Mr Djindjic raised the possibility that Russian companies might take part in the privatisation of Yugoslav industries later this year.