Serbia's parliament passed a law on Friday designed to accelerate the development of a luxury complex in Belgrade, leased to an investment company founded by Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law.
U.S.-based Affinity Global Development plans to construct a hotel, apartments, shops, and offices on the site of the former Yugoslav army headquarters—a project that has sparked protests from Serbs who believe the site should be preserved.
Many Serbs view the old headquarters, which was damaged during the 1999 NATO bombing campaign, as a memorial to those who died and a symbol of Yugoslav-era modernist architecture. They opposed the signing of a 99-year lease agreement with Affinity last year.
Some opposition politicians argued that the law was unconstitutional, but the ruling majority passed it without amendments, agreeing that it could take effect before the legal deadline, allowing work to begin soon.
Kushner's broader investment firm, Affinity Partners, did not respond immediately to a request for comment.
Despite protests, the Serbian government removed the buildings’ protected cultural heritage status last November. Kushner, who is married to Trump’s daughter Ivanka, established Affinity Global Development after stepping down as a White House aide in 2021.
The vote comes at a turbulent time for Serbia, as President Aleksandar Vucic has faced large-scale protests following the collapse of a station roof in November 2024, which killed 16 people.
Serbia's only Russian-owned oil refinery is under U.S. sanctions, raising concerns about fuel supplies in the Balkan country this winter.
On Friday, Russia called on Belgrade to clarify President Vucic's comments regarding the potential sale of ammunition to the European Union, amid fears in Moscow that the shipments could end up in Ukraine. Moscow had previously been assured by Serbia that its ammunition would not be sent to Ukraine.
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U.S. President Donald Trump delivered a wide-ranging address from the White House in which he sought to highlight what he described as his administration’s achievements while laying the groundwork for his plans for the year ahead and beyond, on Wednesday (18 December).
European Union and Western Balkans leaders met in Brussels on Wednesday for a high-level summit aimed at strengthening strategic ties and advancing the EU enlargement agenda.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered a strong message against antisemitism on Wednesday during a Hanukkah celebration in Brussels.
Uzbekistan has increased up electricity exports to Tajikistan as part of wider regional efforts to stabilise energy supplies during periods of seasonal shortage and reduced water availability.
Cambodia must be the first to declare a ceasefire in the ongoing border conflict, Thailand said on Tuesday (16 December), as fighting continued despite earlier claims that hostilities would stop and at least 52 people have been killed on both sides.
The latest clashes between Thailand and Cambodia mark a dangerous escalation in one of Southeast Asia’s oldest and most sensitive disputes.
U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that his administration is examining whether Israel violated the Gaza ceasefire agreement by conducting an airstrike on Saturday (13 December) that killed Hamas leader Raad Saad.
In the complex world of international diplomacy, the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan have raised significant questions about the role of third-party mediation.
The fourth European Conference on Azerbaijani Studies was held in Vienna, Austria, on 5 December, by the European Network for Azerbaijani Studies and the Strategic Consultancy Group.
U.S. President Donald Trump delivered a wide-ranging address from the White House in which he sought to highlight what he described as his administration’s achievements while laying the groundwork for his plans for the year ahead and beyond, on Wednesday (18 December).
Mounting U.S.-China tensions are heightening concerns about miscalculation, with political distrust increasingly shaping how both sides respond to emerging crises.
Germany has confirmed a 43 million tonne lithium carbonate equivalent resource in the Altmark region, fuelling expectations that Europe could reduce strategic dependence on China as electric vehicle demand and clean transport targets accelerate.
EU leaders meeting with Western Balkan counterparts in Brussels are working to refocus the bloc’s agenda on enlargement, with discussions heavily featuring Ukraine support and regional security.
European Union and Western Balkans leaders met in Brussels on Wednesday for a high-level summit aimed at strengthening strategic ties and advancing the EU enlargement agenda.
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