Putin's visit not to harm EU-Serbia relations: Austrian FM

Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz said Wednesday in Belgrade, Serbia, that the country's decision to invite Russian President Vladimir Putin to a grand military parade will not harm its relations with the European Union (EU), as reforms has shown that Serbia is dedicated to its European path.

Kurz, who arrived in the Serbian capital for a one-day visit, told Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic that his country supports the Serbian government in its aspiration to obtain EU membership while at the same time it has nothing against its good relations with Russia.

He explained that Putin's visit schedule for Oct. 16 when Serbia will mark the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Belgrade will in no way interfere with the country's EU aspirations or its relations with the EU.

The position of Serbia is clear, as Vucic together with citizens marches towards the EU, and this is what counts, Kurz said, taking the example of the latest report of the European Commission dealing with Serbia's progress towards the EU membership, presented on Wednesday in Belgrade. Enditem