MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN AND THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND WATER MANAGEMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA AND THE FEDERAL SERVICE FOR VETERINARY AND PHYTOSANITARY SURVEILLANCE (THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION) ON CO-OPERATION IN THE FIELD OF WINE AND OTHER WINE PRODUCTS ("Off. Herald of RS - Treaties", No. 4/2026)

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of the Republic of Serbia and the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (the Russian Federation), hereinafter referred to as the Parties,

stressing the need for further development of mutual co-operation in the field of controlling the compliance of the production technology of wine and other wine products made in the Republic of Serbia for export to the territory of the Russian Federation with the technological rules for the production of wine and other wine products established in the territory of the Russian Federation,

in accordance with the legislation of the States of the Parties and international agreements to which the States of the Parties are parties,

have reached an understanding on the following:

Paragraph 1

The Parties intend to jointly control compliance of the production technology of wine and other wine products made in the Republic of Serbia for export to the territory of the Russian Federation with the technological rules for the production of wine and other wine products established in the territory of the Russian Federation (hereinafter referred to as the technological rules of the Russian Federation) at the places of production of such products.

The Russian Party will post on its official website and will promptly inform the Serbian Party through official correspondence about any changes in the technological rules of the Russian Federation.

Paragraph 2

The following terms will be used in this Memorandum:

wine refers to a food alcoholic agricultural wine product made exclusively by complete or partial fermentation of whole or crushed fresh grapes or fresh grape must and approved for retail in the Russian Federation at ethyl alcohol by volume content between 7.5 to 18 percent;

wine products refer to wine, fortified wine, sparkling wine, grape must, grape-containing beverages, wine and grape distillates and alcohols, and spirits produced from them;

technological rules for the production of wine and other wine products refer to the list of authorized technological methods and operations, as well as the technological means used in the production of wine and other wine products, and the sequence of such methods and operations.

Paragraph 3

With a view to implementing this Memorandum, the Parties intend to:

take measures to prevent the export to the Russian Federation of wine and other wine products made in the Republic of Serbia that do not comply with the technological rules of the Russian Federation;

hold consultations between authorized representatives of the Parties in order to monitor scientific achievements and practices in the field of production of wine and other wine products;

provide each other with scientific, technical and other assistance in conducting joint control measures over compliance of wine and other wine products exported from the Republic of Serbia to the territory of the Russian Federation with the technological rules of the Russian Federation.

Paragraph 4

The Parties, on the basis of a prior written agreement, intend to carry out joint inspections of production sites of wine and other wine products made in the Republic of Serbia and intended for export to the territory of the Russian Federation, in order to verify the compliance of the production technology of wine and other wine products with the technological rules of the Russian Federation.

Paragraph 5

If the Serbian Party, during the production of wine and other wine products in the Republic of Serbia that are intended for export to the territory of the Russian Federation, establishes cases of non-compliance of the production technology of wine and other wine products with the technological rules of the Russian Federation, the Serbian Party will take measures to prevent the supply of such wine and other wine products to the territory of the Russian Federation and will notify the Russian Party as soon as possible of the decision taken, indicating the full information thereon.

If the Parties, in the course of joint inspections of production sites of wine and other wine products that are intended for export to the Russian Federation, establish cases of non-compliance with the technological rules of the Russian Federation, the Parties will take measures to prevent the supply of such products and notify each other of the decisions taken, indicating the full information thereon.

Paragraph 6

If necessary, but at least once in every two years, the Parties intend to organize joint meetings (including via videoconference) to analyze and summarize the results of cooperation over the past period and exchange experience on issues of future cooperation.

The venue, date and agenda of the joint meetings will be determined by mutual agreement of the Parties. Organizational costs of the meetings will be borne by the host Party, and each Party will bear the travel expenses of its delegation to participate in joint meetings.

Paragraph 7

Any disagreements that may arise between the Parties in the interpretation and application of this Memorandum will be resolved by the Parties through consultations.

Paragraph 8

This Memorandum may be amended by mutual written consent of the Parties by means of separate protocols.

This Memorandum is not an international treaty and does not create any rights and obligations of the Parties governed by international law.

Paragraph 9

This Memorandum will be applied from the date of its signing for a period of 5 (five) years and will be automatically extended for successive five-year periods unless either Party notifies the other Party in writing of its intention to terminate it at least 6 (six) months prior to its expiry date.

Signed at Belgrade date 24. April 2026. in two copies, each in the Serbian, Russian and English languages.

In the event of any discrepancy in interpretation, the English text will be used.

For the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of the Republic of Serbia ___________________________

For the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (the Russian Federation) ___________________________