(ANSA-AFP) - BELGRADE, JAN 30 - Russia on Thursday warned
against the prospect of "chaos" in Serbia following months of
anti-corruption protests that led to the resignation of Prime
Minister Milos Vucevic. "It is extremely important that the
demonstrators... show reason and do not follow the lead of those
who stir up emotions. Chaos must be avoided in Serbia," Russian
foreign ministry spokesman Maria Zakharova said. Serbia has long
had a close relationship with Moscow and has refused to impose
sanctions over Russia's military operation in Ukraine -- unlike
the EU, which it hopes to join. Students have vowed to continue
protesting, following weeks of mass demonstrations over the
fatal collapse of a train station roof in November. The
collapse, which killed 15 people, has ignited long-standing
anger across Serbia over corruption and the alleged lack of
oversight on construction projects.
"We see that the authorities are listening to criticism and
are willing to engage in direct dialogue with everyone within
the framework of the political process," Zakharova said. "We
believe this is the only real way to achieve universal agreement
in the interests of protecting sovereignty, national dignity and
traditional values and maintaining internal stability," she
said. (ANSA-AFP).
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