Czech PM Babiš hails EXPO 2027 and boasts arms sales to Serbia

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has praised the upcoming specialised exhibition EXPO 2027 in Belgrade, describing it as a “first-league” event, while highlighting growing Czech defence exports to both Serbia and Montenegro.

Speaking in his regular weekly social-media address following a visit to Belgrade, Babiš invited Czech citizens to attend the exhibition next year. “We will have a great pavilion. EXPO 2027 in Serbia will be first league – you have to go there to see it. Our pavilion will be in an excellent location. The Serbs are investing €1.2 billion and at the same time building a new football stadium with 52,000 seats. It is a fantastic investment on 200 hectares,” he said, referring to the site he toured during his visit on Thursday.

During the same visit on 23 July 2026, Babiš publicly questioned why Serbia remains outside the Schengen area, noting that some current member states have weaker border protection and recalling that Serbia had supplied Czechia with 100,000 COVID-19 vaccines in 2021 when the EU failed to do so. He described the EU’s enlargement policy toward the Western Balkans as an “endless story” spanning decades, urged faster integration of Serbia, and underlined the sharp rise in bilateral trade from €430 million to €2.4 billion. The remarks, delivered alongside President Aleksandar Vučić, reflect pragmatic support from a Visegrád Group leader for Serbia’s European path amid ongoing debates over migration and regional stability.

Background: EXPO 2027 Belgrade

EXPO 2027 is a Bureau International des Expositions (BIE)-recognised specialised exposition scheduled to run from 15 May to 15 August 2027 in the Surčin area on the outskirts of Belgrade. It is the first world exposition of its kind to be held in Serbia or the wider Western Balkans.

Organised under the theme “Play for Humanity – Sport and Music for All,” the event is expected to attract more than four million visitors and over 130 participating countries and international organisations. The complex forms part of a larger urban development that includes a new National Stadium with a capacity of 52,000 seats, an aquatic centre and residential facilities. Total construction costs for the EXPO site and related infrastructure have been estimated in the range of €1.3–1.7 billion, with Chinese contractor Power China playing a major role. Organisers present the project as a catalyst for investment, tourism and regional visibility.

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Defence cooperation and arms sales

Babiš also used his address to underline the success of the Czech business mission that accompanied him to Serbia. He expressed confidence that Belgrade would purchase Czech L-39 Skyfox light attack and advanced trainer aircraft produced by Aero Vodochody. “Our trade exchange with Serbia is growing dramatically,” he said.

In parallel, Babiš highlighted a newly signed intergovernmental agreement with Montenegro. During Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić’s visit to Prague on Friday, the two governments concluded a deal under which the Czech Republic will supply Montenegro with weapons and ammunition worth €24.2 million. The package includes automatic rifles, pistols, ammunition and the latest CZ BREN 3 assault rifles manufactured by Česká zbrojovka (part of the COLT CZ Group).

“This is the first arms sale to a NATO member country. Great news,” Babiš declared. Earlier versions of the BREN rifle have already been adopted by elite units in other NATO states, including France’s counter-terrorism forces.

Serbia’s broader defence modernisation

Serbia has been pursuing an ambitious multi-vector defence modernisation programme in recent years. While maintaining traditional ties with Russia and expanding cooperation with China (including the acquisition of HQ-9B/FK-3 long-range air-defence systems and other equipment), Belgrade has also signed major contracts with Western suppliers. These include a €3 billion deal with France for 12 Rafale F4 fighter jets (deliveries expected from 2028) and various systems from other European and non-European partners.

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Czech defence industry interest in Serbia extends beyond the potential Skyfox aircraft deal. Discussions have also covered artillery systems and other equipment, reflecting Prague’s pragmatic approach of expanding economic and defence ties without intervening in the internal affairs of partner countries – a point emphasised by Czech Deputy Prime Minister Karel Havlíček ahead of the Belgrade visit.

Both Andrej Babiš and Aleksandar Vučić share a similar illiberal political style, marked by authoritarian tendencies and a readiness to deal ruthlessly with critics and political opponents.

The article in Serbia by EUalive’s partner BETA can be found here.

Caption: Czech PM Andrej Babiš visits the construction site of Expo 2027 [Government of Serbia on X]