Moscow: “You can count on our staunch support and solidarity; we are ready to confront this dangerous trend with joint efforts,” wrote the Russia’s outgoing president, Vladimir Putin in a letter to Serbia’s caretaker government head, Vojislav Kostunica, yesterday.

Putin, who is expected to take over as prime minister, stated that Serbia can count on Russia’s firm support for its Kosovo status policy. He said, “Russia’s stance remains unchanged. We believe that the unilateral declaration of independence has dealt a serious blow to the principles of international law.”

“Russia is looking to establish close cooperation with Serbia, in a wider circle of international issues, in the name of peace and stability in the Balkans, and a Europe without divisions. The Russian authorities are firmly dedicated to improving our relations in other sectors, including perfecting the contractual-legal foundations, developing industrial and transport cooperation, spreading of cultural, scientific, educational and youth exchange,” Putin said in his letter.

“I count on the deepening of cooperation between the Democratic Party of Serbia, which you lead, and which maintains partnership with United Russia. Such inter-party cooperation will contribute to a further development of the Russo-Serbian ties, which we have managed to raise to a quality level during these last several years,” Putin wrote to Kostunica.