OREANDA-NEWS. April 20, 2011. The president of Russian Railways Vladimir Yakunin met Serbia’s Minister for Infrastructure and Energy Milutin Mrkonjic during a working visit to Belgrade, reported the press-centre of RZD.

Under discussion was the possible participation of Russian Railways in implementing rail reconstruction projects in Serbia. This follows on from an earlier agreement reached during a visit of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to Serbia.

The parties agreed that Russian Railways will provide Serbia with necessary technical assistance and help to complete the design work, in particular the project to reconstruct the railway line between Pancevo - Belgrade.

Following the meeting a protocol was signed determining the subsequent actions of both parties.
At the moment, Serbia is considering five projects worth USD800 million, with the funding expected to come from an inter-governmental loan.

The exact number of projects and the cost of each one will be specified on the basis of the project documentation.

Serbia and Russia’s finance ministries are currently working on a draft agreement which will form the basis for the disbursement of funds to finance the projects.