Slow progress of EU-Serbia partnership plan in field of sustainable raw materials

The development of a plan for the realization of a strategic partnership between the European Union (EU) and Serbia in the field of sustainable raw materials is progressing slowly due to the current situation in Serbia, informed sources in Brussels told the Beta agency.

– Bearing in mind the political context in Serbia - and we are aware of ongoing protests - the EU does not want to rush - the sources said about the plan, which was supposed to be completed by the end of February this year.

They indicated that it is necessary for all interested parties, including local organizations and civil society, to be involved in the preparation of the strategic partnership between Serbia and the EU in the field of sustainable raw materials, battery and electric vehicle production chains.

On July 19, 2024, at the Summit on Critical Raw Materials in Belgrade, representatives of Serbia and the EU signed a Memorandum of Understanding on strategic partnership in the field of sustainable raw materials, battery production chains and electric vehicles, in the presence of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

– We are making slow progress in relation to the agreement due to the current situation in Serbia – stated Beta’s sources in Brussels.

They indicated that no specific project is part of the agreement and that they cannot yet say whether lithium production in Serbia will be on the list of EU strategic projects with third countries, which should be published soon.

They stated that any undertaking, which would be included in that list, is not included there forever, but that EU support can be withdrawn if difficulties arise in connection with the respect of human rights and environmental standards. The EU does not direct its own money at these projects, but supports finding sources of funding.

In the European Parliament and elsewhere in Brussels, a series of discussions were held in recent weeks on political issues related to the intention of the government in Serbia and the transnational corporation Rio Tinto to start lithium production in the west of Serbia.

The largest single stake in Rio Tinto's ownership is the Aluminum Corporation of China, headquartered in Beijing - approximately 15%. North American investment funds follow, while investors from the EU are minimally represented.

Rio Sava Exploration d.o.o. Beograd

Rio Tinto

Aleksandar Vučić

Olaf Scholz

sustainable raw materials

electric vehicles

production of lithium