The European Commission remains committed to its strategic partnership with Serbia on raw materials, despite recent protests and political tensions. These protests, which culminated in large-scale demonstrations in Belgrade, were sparked by the Serbian government’s decision to allow Rio Tinto to resume lithium mining operations. President Aleksandar Vučić has suggested that these protests are being influenced by Western powers, although the European Union has strongly denied any involvement.
Despite the controversy, the EU is determined to pursue the partnership, which is crucial for reducing dependence on China for critical raw materials needed for Europe’s energy transition. A memorandum of understanding was recently signed by Commission vice-president Maroš Šefčovič and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Belgrade.
There are also rumors that French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen might visit Belgrade soon, but these visits have not been officially confirmed.
