Secretary General of the International Bureau for Exhibitions Dimitri Kerkezes told RTS that "Exspo it is not a project for one man, one specific group or one political party, but for the whole nation".
In the show "Oko magazin", he said that it doesn't matter which part of the political spectrum you come from, The expo must be a project. for everyone in Serbia and everyone in the region.
"I believe that, perhaps due to some other events, the Expo is involved in political conflicts, but this is a project that represents the future of Serbia and the entire region," says Kerkezes.
He goes on to say that after only seven or eight months since the Expo was officially confirmed, "we are already close to 100 countries, if not exactly 100, that have confirmed their participation".
Political crisis and the exhibition Expo
Asked if there was a chance that the Expo would be canceled due to political instability in Serbia, he replied that he did not think there was any risk and explained:
"For the International Bureau of Exhibitions to withdraw recognition, there would have to be a really critical problem within Expo, and today we don't see that at all."
Opposition call to the International Bureau
The opposition previously on the initiative of the National Movement of Serbia, sent a letter to the International Bureau for Exhibitions, as a credible and established international organization, in which they request the cancellation of the specialized Expo exhibition in Belgrade.
The representatives of the parliamentary opposition then pointed out that a high-quality and non-corrupt realization of the specialized exhibition, in accordance with the rules of the International Bureau of Exhibitions and international conventions, would be good for Serbia, but that they are concerned about the fact that the current government wants to abuse the exhibition for corruption and the execution of projects in violation of international conventions and domestic laws and procedures, which would directly harm the reputation of the country and its citizens, as well as the reputation of the International Bureau of Exhibitions.
There will be enough money.
When it comes to the expenses of the Expo, Kerkezes announced that they amount to 1,2 to 1,3 billion euros, noting that the infrastructure costs are included, which means the railways, roads, highways that need to be built, the entire infrastructure around the project itself.
He predicts that the Expo should at least cover the costs, convinced that "we can be calm" on this issue.
Kerkezes emphasizes that he "was never presented, nor did he see, that the Government of Serbia presented a budget of 18 billion euros for this event."
"We had an insight into what was presented to the Executive Committee and our General Assembly, which is in the range of 1 to 1,3 billion euros - and that makes sense to us," he says and adds:
"We will not accept an investment of 18 billion as part of the Expo, because it has nothing to do with the event itself. But, I hope it is part of a wider incentive for the development of the country."
"We know what the Expo's budget is. We will not interfere in what else the government wants to do," he stressed and pointed out that the stadium is not directly connected to Expo.
Silencing citizens
As "Vreme" previously wrote the public hearing for the Expo urban planning project was postponed twice because it was waiting for the amendments to the law to enter into force, the Ministry of Space collective states.
The Official Gazette published an amendment to the Rulebook on the procedure for drawing up plans, according to which public hearings, i.e. public sessions, can be held electronically - and that's precisely in cases where there is great public interest. As, for example, for the Expo or Belgrade on the water.
"In exceptional cases, when there is a great interest of the public in participating in the public session of the commission, the public session of the commission can be held electronically," it is written in the "Official Gazette" 46/2025.
Until now, public sessions (debates) were a rare and valuable opportunity for citizens to directly express their opinion on an urban project and defend the public interest. They were a space of conflict of views - between citizens who defend greenery, public space and water and the City, which unquestioningly puts these resources at the disposal of investors.
Source: RTS/Vreme/FoNet
