Mayor of Novi Sad Miloš Vučević met at the City Hall with H.E. Russian Ambassador to Serbia Alexander Chepurin, who was in an official visit to Novi Sad.

The Ambassador expressed his satisfaction with the visit to Novi Sad and thanked for the warm welcome and hospitality. He pointed out that Russia's relations with Serbia have always been good and that the models of future cooperation have been built intensively for many years, with respect to heritage. As he put it, the aim is for the City of Novi Sad to connect with Russian regions and cities for the sake of closer cooperation in culture, economy and sport and for the benefit and satisfaction of both sides.

Mayor Vučicević stated that Novi Sad will continue to cooperate with its sister city Nizhny Novgorod, as well as with other Russian cities, with which it nurtures long lasting friendship, while working intensively on increasing the efficiency of the implementation of joint projects. The officials agreed that the cooperation in the field of culture was raised to the highest possible level in the past 12 months and added that cooperation in the area of economy should be intensified, with an emphasis on agriculture, that the both countries are famous for. Special attention is given to the project of building a wholesale market in Novi Sad in cooperation with Russian partners, which was discussed with the country’s officials at earlier meetings.

They agreed that the prospects for cooperation in many areas are good and that new opportunities should be constantly encouraged, for the benefit and satisfaction of both sides.

A delegation of Novi Sad headed by the mayor voiced willingness to contribute to the strengthening of Serbia-Russia cooperation with its work and commitment, especially bearing in mind the traditionally friendly relations and deep historical, cultural, linguistic, and religious closeness of the two nations.

Novi Sad, 17^th July 2013