Scholz travels to Serbia for rare meeting with 'isolated' Vucic to finalize lithium deal - Politico
Kyiv • UNN
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is planning a surprise visit to Belgrade on Friday to attend the signing of a cooperation agreement between the EU and Serbia on lithium imports, essential for the EU's digital and green transition.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz plans to travel to Belgrade on Friday for a surprise visit, Politico reports, UNN writes.
Details
It is noted, citing three sources, that Scholz intends to attend the signing of a cooperation agreement between the EU and Serbia on the import of minerals, including lithium, which are crucial for the EU's digital and green transition.
Subsequently, a representative of the country's government confirmed the visit.
Earlier, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, as noted, "has been largely isolated among European leaders due to his controversial flirtations with Russia and China, tensions with Kosovo, and allegations of election fraud.
Germany, as the largest automaker in the EU, is very interested in lithium supplies, especially within Europe, to reduce its dependence on China. It is noted that is the raw material needed to create electric vehicles.
"However, it is unusual for Scholz to make such a trip in such a short time," the publication pointed out.
The Serbian government announced on Tuesday that it will resume work on a controversial lithium mining project in the west of the country following a Constitutional Court ruling last week that overturned a previous cancellation of lithium mining.
The previous government in Belgrade halted the project and canceled the licenses issued to the British-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto after mass protests over two years ago.
Vice President of the European Commission Maroš Šefčovič is expected to attend the signing ceremony, two sources said.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was reportedly considering attending the trip, but her participation is doubtful given that she still needs to win a vote in the European Parliament on Thursday to be confirmed for a second term.
In May, Šefčović said that a lithium deal with Serbia could be concluded "in a short time.
The Jadar mine, located near the city of Loznica in western Serbia, contains some of Europe's largest lithium reserves. Vucic told the Financial Times last month that the mine, which he plans to open in 2028, will produce 58,000 tons of lithium a year. That would be equal to 17 percent of Europe's electric vehicle production, or 1.1 million cars.
Environmental NGOs and residents of Loznitsa warn that the construction of the mine could lead to environmental destruction and water pollution. Many also fear the potential displacement of residents in the area.
