Opposition party hosts ex-New York mayor

Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani has stated that he was not paid by the opposition Serb Progressive Party (SNS) to come to Belgrade. “I am here on a private visit and we have never discussed paying me for coming here,” Giuliani told reporters after he toured the Sava River together with SNS deputy leader and candidate for Belgrade mayor Aleksandar Vucic. Opposition party hosts ex-New York mayor The former New York mayor explained that he owned a private business that had nothing to do with politics and that he had been advising other cities on their development. Vucic also noted that the SNS had not paid Giuliani to come to Belgrade. Giuliani said that SNS’ project “Belgrade on the Water” was “extraordinary” and that it could change the capital and Serbia and that it could attract investors. He added that he was honored that he could help develop the project. “The most important thing is to enable getting of building permits as fast as possible. What I have seen is that you need too many permits and paperwork and that discourages investors,” Giuliani stressed and added that there was always corruption when you had too many regulations, which was the case with other cities as well. “Delays lead to bribery,” he explained. Vucic said that Giuliani’s visit was a “great day for Belgrade and Serbia” and that he was particularly happy that the former New York mayor had accepted the invitation and that he had had an opportunity to inform him about all the ways Belgrade could develop. The SNS official added that he hoped that he could count on Giuliani’s advice and help in the future. Giuliani arrived in Belgrade on Thursday night at the SNS’ invitation and he is scheduled to hold a lecture and a press conference after a tour in downtown Belgrade on Friday. He was a New York mayor from 1994 until 2001 and he is well-known for tackling corruption and crime and rebuilding the city after the 9/11 terrorist attack. more photos Aleksandar Vucic and Rudolph Giuliani (Tanjug) Beta

Opposition party hosts ex-New York mayor

The former New York mayor explained that he owned a private business that had nothing to do with politics and that he had been advising other cities on their development.

Vučić also noted that the SNS had not paid Giuliani to come to Belgrade.

Giuliani said that SNS’ project “Belgrade on the Water” was “extraordinary” and that it could change the capital and Serbia and that it could attract investors.

He added that he was honored that he could help develop the project.

“The most important thing is to enable getting of building permits as fast as possible. What I have seen is that you need too many permits and paperwork and that discourages investors,” Giuliani stressed and added that there was always corruption when you had too many regulations, which was the case with other cities as well.

“Delays lead to bribery,” he explained.

Vučić said that Giuliani’s visit was a “great day for Belgrade and Serbia” and that he was particularly happy that the former New York mayor had accepted the invitation and that he had had an opportunity to inform him about all the ways Belgrade could develop.

The SNS official added that he hoped that he could count on Giuliani’s advice and help in the future.

Giuliani arrived in Belgrade on Thursday night at the SNS’ invitation and he is scheduled to hold a lecture and a press conference after a tour in downtown Belgrade on Friday.

He was a New York mayor from 1994 until 2001 and he is well-known for tackling corruption and crime and rebuilding the city after the 9/11 terrorist attack.