German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is coming to Serbia tomorrow, where he will talk with Aleksandar Vučić, and the main topic is key raw materials, as part of a visit that the Brussels portal "Politiko" characterized as an announcement of the Serbian president's exit from "diplomatic disgrace".
Solz will attend a summit on key raw materials in Belgrade together with European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič, during which Serbia will sign a memorandum of understanding with the European Union on a strategic partnership related to sustainable raw materials, battery supply chains and electric vehicles.
"The basis for this is the project of sustainable lithium mining in Serbia. All in all, it is about the further development of the European agenda on raw materials and the reduction of risks in their exploitation", said the spokesman of the German government at the regular government press conference in Berlin.
The visit came after the Serbian government re-issued a license to Rio Tinto to develop Europe's largest lithium mine, which could represent a significant boost to the continent's electric vehicle industry. If realized, the $2,4 billion Jadar lithium project in western Serbia could cover 90% of Europe's current lithium needs and help Rio Tinto become a leading lithium producer.
The news about Solco's arrival in Belgrade was first published on Tuesday by the "Politiko" portal, citing anonymous sources. "After years spent in diplomatic disgrace, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has now catapulted himself back into the political spotlight thanks to the insatiable appetite of the European Union, and especially Germany, for raw materials for the production of electric cars," Politiko announced. The portal stated that Germany, as the largest car manufacturer in the EU, is very interested in providing lithium, especially in Europe in order to reduce dependence on China.
"Vučić was previously largely isolated among European leaders due to his controversial flirtation with Russia and China, tensions in Kosovo and accusations of election fraud... It is unusual, however, that Soltz undertakes such a visit in such a short period of time," the portal said.
On Tuesday, the Government of Serbia adopted a decree on determining the spatial plan of the special purpose area for the implementation of the "Jadar" jadarite mineral exploitation and processing project.
Vučić told the Financial Times last month that the mine, which he expects to open in 2028, will produce 58.000 tons of lithium per year.
Environmental activists, experts and the opposition warn of devastating consequences for the environment if the project is implemented in Serbia and have announced protest actions again, such as those that caused the government to adopt a decree in 2022 stopping the project. Last Thursday, the Constitutional Court of Serbia declared that decree unconstitutional.
One of the presidents of the Green-Left Front, Radomir Lazović, told Politiko that the Constitutional Court's decision to subsequently approve the project was related to political influences.
"In a country where institutions do not function, where elections are stolen, the Constitutional Court works by command, it is difficult to imagine that the same institutions would protect the interests of citizens when it comes to the environment and such high-risk projects," Lazović said.
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