Vučić tours construction works at EXPO site: "Belgrade is becoming the world!"; "Dozens of presidents on EXPO"

Address by the President

“There is enormous progress compared to the last time we were here. One important thing we didn’t even discuss today is that when foreign contractors come, they bring their own construction workers, but they also have to hire some workers from here. We are able to meet all of those requirements — these are incredibly ambitious goals,” the president said.

He added that Serbia’s National Pavilion would be the crown jewel of the entire project.

“I believe our public debt will not exceed 45 percent and that we will always remain a low-debt country and not leave problems to future generations.”

Asked how much money had been invested in EXPO, the president said:

Alongside Astana, the Serbian EXPO will be the best, the most beautiful, and the most successful. EXPO brings us GDP growth, higher salaries, and pensions. This is the largest construction site in Southeast Europe. You cannot talk about EXPO only as this construction site, because we must also talk about the Čačak highway, expressways. The EXPO site itself will never exceed two million; the National Stadium is already a separate project.

Tour of the Construction Site

During the tour of the EXPO construction works, Vučić said the buildings would be completed in July, after which furnishing would begin immediately, and everything would be equipped by September, since the first delegations are expected to arrive that month to work on their pavilions.

“So, starting in September, we will host foreign guests who will be engaged in building, preparing, and designing their pavilions, and then we will have to decide how and under what conditions to sell those residential units once EXPO is over,” Vučić said.

He added that there are different ideas regarding the sales process, but that the apartments would certainly be offered under somewhat more favorable conditions than market prices, with special attention given to groups of citizens considered especially important.

“The keys will be handed over in December 2026. By December 1, we must deliver everything. But we will finish earlier,” Vučić added.

He pointed out that the area where EXPO is being built was just a meadow until 2023, and today it is an entire city.

“You saw when you arrived that you can barely get through because of the traffic jams caused by trucks on all access roads and because of how many people are working,” the Serbian president said.

Finance Minister Siniša Mali said that 700,000 square meters are being built at the EXPO site.

“The stadium will look magnificent”

“As for the stadium, both the south and north stands are progressing, and it will look magnificent. You have to understand, this is not just a football stadium, but also a concert venue. That’s why there are some 16–18 special exits from the field. When you have a concert, people can’t climb 300 steps upward, so there are lower exits they can use. That’s why the stadium is being built according to the highest standards and it will be marvelous. All seats will be covered so spectators can enjoy themselves.”

He stated that more than 3,500 workers are on the EXPO construction site every day and that most of them are foreign workers.

“For the most part, they are foreign workers. Not because we wouldn’t want more Serbian workers, but because there simply aren’t enough,” Vučić said, adding that today there are around 4,800 workers on the site and about 540 different machines and pieces of equipment.

“There is also a heliport for flying taxis; we will have two demo flights every day,” added Siniša Mali.

Belgrade is expanding

This will be a fantastic location that will attract enormous attention. You are close to everything. Belgrade will expand in this direction, toward the so-called Lower Srem. I believe this is one of those projects that enters history. EXPO will attract the greatest attention worldwide. It will have the highest number of visitors. We already have confirmation that dozens of presidents will come. Belgrade is becoming the world, already by the end of 2026.

We are unable to create successful companies because the money we give them is used to repay old debts. Some companies did an exceptionally good job on this residential area and completed it on time. Serbian companies. I congratulate them, and this should be a strong reference for them. But I am trembling with fear over whether we will finish this or not.

“Fantastic location. You are just minutes away from the Belgrade–Novi Sad highway and Miloš Veliki motorway. Belgrade will expand in this direction, the so-called Lower Srem,” the Serbian president said.

Speaking about parking spaces, the president said there would not be enough of them.

“There won’t be enough because there will be days with 50,000–60,000 people,” Vučić said, adding that weekends are expected to bring 120,000 visitors.

“We have seven special transport lines for EXPO,” added Minister Mali.

“I believe this is one of those incredible projects that enter history. Do not forget that 2027 is the year of EXPO, the biggest event in the world, which will attract the greatest global attention. The largest number of participants and visitors will be here, and dozens of presidents and prime ministers will come — we already have confirmations,” Vučić said.

Mali stated that construction work must be completed by September.

“Around the world, large companies are buying plots nearby and positioning themselves around EXPO,” Mali said.

“Look at Belgrade Waterfront — why is Alabar so successful? He first created life there, and then continued building residential areas. You have to show care for people,” the president said.

“We still have themed parks coming; I recently spoke with people from Germany. People will be amazed. This will be a marvelous place, easy and quick to reach. This is both history and the future at the same time, thanks to our people and the constant pressure. Without that, nothing happens. There is never enough work without pressure. Pressure is understood. There are no results without pressure. You must achieve greater things than people expect from you,” the president said.

Minister Mali added that business forums would also be very important.

Construction of nuclear power plants

The only place in Serbia properly illuminated is Belgrade Waterfront, and now whatever we build has to be lit at that level. That is why we must commit ourselves to building nuclear power plants and solving electricity issues. The plan is to complete nuclear power plants by 2042, and by 2030 to build hydropower plants, new renewable energy capacities with batteries included, and none of that will be simple.

Finance Minister Siniša Mali and Minister Jagoda Lazarević were also present at the EXPO construction site.