The European Union has expressed concern about the strengthening of relations between Serbia and Russia, after these two countries signed an agreement on cooperation in the field of foreign policy. 

The EU foreign policy and security spokesman, Peter Stano, said that this agreement came at a time when Russia is continuing its aggression against Ukraine and every day "is violating the international law, its forces are committing crimes against civilians and in occupied parts [of Ukraine] is organizing illegal referendums". 

"If in these circumstances we see that the Foreign Minister of Serbia signs an agreement, in which he agrees to consult with the state that commits such acts, then this is a sign that Serbia is strengthening its relations with Russia. And this raises serious concerns. Relations with Russia in this period cannot be as if nothing had happened. We take these very seriously", said Stano. 

According to him, Serbia has declared that its strategic goal is integration into the European bloc. Therefore, according to Stanos, "this decision of Serbia should also mean cooperation and alignment with the EU in matters of foreign policy". 

"The EU has been completely clear with all member states and partners, including the candidate country, Serbia: relations with Russia cannot be business as usual under the shadow of the unprovoked and unreasonable invasion of Ukraine," said Stano. 

Stano invited the leadership in Serbia to ensure, as part of the EU membership process, "a stronger coherence between its foreign policy initiatives and support for international values ??and the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its borders internationally known". 

Serbia has been criticized for its rapprochement with the Russian Federation by other members of the European Parliament. 

Among them are Vladimir Bilçik, rapporteur for Serbia in the EP and Viola von Cramon, rapporteur for Kosovo. The latter has even mentioned the possibility of suspending Serbia's EU membership negotiations. 

Bilçik wrote on Twitter that he sees the news of the signing of the agreement as a big blow for the EU enlargement process with the Western Balkans. 

Meanwhile, von Cramon said that "membership in the EU does not go through Moscow". 

What does the agreement signed between Serbia and Russia contain? 

On September 23, the Foreign Minister of Russia, Sergei Lavrov, and the Foreign Minister of Serbia, Nikola Sellakovic, signed the Consultation Plan of the two ministers for the next two years. 

Sellakovic is in charge of Serbian diplomacy, in the technical Government, as Serbia is expected to form a new Government after the April elections. 

The document was signed on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Asked by journalists what the plan includes and what message it sends to the EU, Sellakovic said on September 25 that "those who have not seen the document are attacking it". 

"Everything that has to do with the criticisms and issues related to this plan, are looking for reasons to attack Serbia and rebuke it," he said. 

Sellakovic stated that the Consultation Plan with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia "has been signed since 1996, every two years", emphasizing that it is about "technical issues such as bilateral relations and multilateral activities". 

This is the first diplomatic document that Serbia and Russia have signed since February 24, when the Russian invasion of Ukraine began. 

Because of its aggression against Ukraine, Russia is subject to sanctions from the EU, the United States and other Western countries. 

Serbia has voted several UN resolutions condemning the Russian occupation of Ukraine. However, Belgrade, even though it is a candidate for EU membership, refuses to harmonize its policy with that of the bloc and impose sanctions on Russia.