Serbia and the European Union signed a memorandum of understanding today in Belgrade, establishing a strategic partnership to exploit sustainable raw materials and develop supply chains for batteries and electric vehicles. The agreement was signed during a summit on strategic raw materials, attended by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and European Commission Vice-President and Energy Commissioner Maros Sefcovic.
The summit’s discussions were framed around Belgrade’s recent decision to reconsider the development of a significant lithium mine in western Serbia. This project, initially suspended due to widespread protests over environmental and health concerns, is seen as a key component in the partnership.
The memorandum was officially signed by Commissioner Sefcovic and Serbian Energy Minister Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic. The partnership aims to secure a sustainable and ethical supply of raw materials critical for the EU’s green energy transition, particularly in the rapidly growing EV sector.