Scholz and Vučić Discuss Controversial Lithium Mining Partnership
The German Chancellor and Serbian President meet in Freiberg to address lithium extraction plans for Europe's green transition, amid environmental and political concerns.
- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić met in Freiberg, Saxony, to discuss sustainable lithium mining and its role in Europe's shift to electric vehicles.
- The EU and Serbia signed a partnership in July to extract lithium from Serbia's Jadar Valley, home to one of Europe's largest lithium reserves, to reduce dependence on Chinese imports.
- Environmental activists in Serbia have strongly opposed the project, citing risks of ecological damage, displacement, and foreign corporate exploitation.
- Critics argue that the deal prioritizes European industry over local communities, with activists like Aleksandar Matković facing threats for opposing the project.
- The meeting highlights tensions between EU economic interests and Serbia's internal political and social challenges, including concerns over democracy and press freedom.
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung 
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