The Serbian government has signed a deal with a company related to Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of Donald Trump, for a real estate development project in Belgrade. The project will involve the revitalization of bombed-out buildings at the site of the former Serbian army headquarters, which was destroyed in a U.S.-led NATO bombing campaign in 1999. The $500-million project is set to include a high-rise hotel, a luxury apartment complex, office spaces, and shops. Kushner has stated that this development will further elevate Belgrade as an international destination.
While government officials have welcomed the project, opposition groups and many in the general public have expressed their opposition to it. For many, the site of the bombed-out army command building holds significant symbolism, representing Serbia’s resistance against what they view as NATO aggression from 25 years ago. The Ecological Uprising opposition group, led by Aleksandar Jovanović, has announced plans to defend the demolition of the old General Staff building and the handover to an American company. They have called on all citizens, especially members of the Serbian Armed Forces, to join them in preventing what they see as a crime.
The 1998-99 war between Serbian forces and ethnic Albanian separatists in Kosovo resulted in about 13,000 deaths, mostly ethnic Albanians, until a 78-day NATO bombing campaign forced Serbian troops out of the region. While Kosovo declared independence in 2008, Serbia does not recognize it as a separate country. The leader of the Ecological Uprising group has expressed strong opposition to the project and has threatened to use all means, including physical force, to defend the old General Staff building. Government officials have defended the deal, stating that the revitalization of the site will contribute to the development of Belgrade and Serbia. A bombing memorial will also be built at the site, financed by the investor.
The project signed with Kushner’s company is not the only one in the region. Earlier this year, the Albanian tourism ministry received an investment project application from Affinity Partners, Kushner’s company, to develop a former military base on Sazan Island in the Adriatic Sea into a resort. Prime Minister Edi Rama of Albania expressed pride in attracting such interest from investors. Despite the opposition and controversy surrounding the Belgrade project, government officials believe that the development will bring economic progress to Serbia, further enhancing Belgrade’s status as an international destination. The debate and protests against the project are likely to continue as different groups voice their concerns and visions for the future of the site.
