Byzantine Blog

...And it Isn't Even Kostunica's Birthday

Ahead of Serbia's presidential elections this year, when the incumbent, Boris Tadic, received a birthday card from other heads of state, including the one from Russian President Putin's cabinet, Yellows used this rather basic, non-committal expression of political courtesy in a sleaziest possible way, as a promotional material in their campaign, loudly advertising the Happy Birthday greeting card as Putin's official endorsement of Boris Tadic in the elections.

One has to wonder how will the notorious SleazeBall Camp explain the obvious and lightning fast evaporation of Putin's alleged support for Tadic, after he sent a strong message of open support to Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, only few days ahead of the parliamentary elections. And it isn't even Kostunica's birthday...

Statement by the Serbian Premier Vojislav Kostunica

President Putin stressed in his message that Russian position "regarding Kosovo remains unchanged. We believe that the unilateral declaration of independence of the Province has dealt a serious blow to the principles of the international law. We are ready to join the forces in confronting this dangerous tendency. You can firmly count on our solidarity and support.

"We are oriented toward the close cooperation with Serbia regarding the wide range of international issues, in the interest of peace and stability in the Balkans, building the Europe without divisions.

"Russian leadership is strongly determined to improve our relations also in the other directions, including improvements of the contractual-legal base, development of the cooperation in the industrial and transportation sphere, widening of the cultural, scientific-educational and youth exchange.

"I sincerely appreciate congratulations on the occasion of my election for the president of the All-Russian political party United Russia. I rely on the deepening of the cooperation with the Democratic Party of Serbia, led by You, which has already established partnership ties with the United Russia.

"I am convinced that such inter-party cooperation will contribute to further development of the Russian-Serbian cooperation, which we succeeded to bring to a new, quality level during the past years. The active and open political dialogue is now being strengthened through the strategic agreements in the key areas of the trade and economic partnership. First and foremost regarding the energy issues, where the serious venues are being opened for expanding the mutually beneficial ties. In this context, the prompt ratification of the Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of Republic of Serbia about the cooperation in the oil and gas industry, signed in Moscow on January 25, 2008, is of particular importance for us. We hope this Agreement will be ratified in the Serbian Parliament in the nearest time," Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded his message to the Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica.