Serbian President Pledges Loyalty to Russia

At a meeting in Belgrade with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday, Nikolic said that Serbia's fate was bound to Russia and expressed hope for greater economic cooperation and even closer relations.

"It's known that that when it goes well for Russia, It's going well for Serbia as well. Please send my regards to the President of the Russian Federation and our wish that he continues to successfully lead your country," Nikolic told Lavrov.

Nikolic also expressed his gratitude for the Moscow's support for Belgrade over Kosovo.

Nikolic and Lavrov Fret Over 'Greater Albania'

The Russian foreign minister said that Moscow was concerned about potential violence with the goal of creating a 'Greater Albania' and called on the EU to react strongly to the recent violence in Macedonia.

He said that the clashes in Macedonian town of Kumanovo were the result of well-prepared "terrorist actions" that could spread to Kosovo and Bosnia.

"I have to express our concern about calls for the creation of a Greater Albania. It is a call for bloodshed in the Balkans, and no politician should remain indifferent," Lavrov said.

He also said he could not avoid having the impression that the attacks in Macedonia were associated with the fact that the Skopje government refused to impose sanctions on Russia.

Serbian President Nikolic said that the situation in the Balkans was going backwards.

"These are all consequences of the proclamation of the so-called independent state of Kosovo and its desire, as well as the desire of Albania, to create one large Albanian state that will spread across the borders of neighboring countries," said Nikolic.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, and since then,...