Vucic: Belgrade Waterfront Critics Fear Change

Vucic Beograd na vodi

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Oct. 30 that criticisms of the Belgrade Waterfront project came from people who feared change and politicians who lacked ideas and dreams.

Appearing at the opening of a shopping mall at Belgrade Waterfront, Vucic said such criticisms always accompanied the building of something new. He declared that he would continue to dream great ideas in spite of critics.

Asked whether the construction of the project catered to the interest of a private investor, Vucic said in had also been in the interest of Serbia the state.

"It's not just in his (the investor's) interest, it's in our interest, too, to turn swampy shanties into something this glorious. We have made something out of nothing and given people jobs. There is also, of course, the interest of the private owner, but that's the essence of capitalism. If someone can't make the connection and isn't clear on that, than I don't know what I could add," Vucic said.

According to him, the rest of Belgrade also benefits from Belgrade Waterfront, as the prices of neighboring housing has shot up, and thus the property values for people who live there.