When asked about the prospects for lithium and other critical raw materials projects in the EU under the CRMA (Critical Raw Materials Act), Bernselova emphasized the strategic importance of lithium for battery production, crucial for the automotive industry’s transformation. She noted that since 2020, the European Commission and Member States have been monitoring various lithium projects across Austria, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden, each at different stages of development.
Regarding the removal of legal obstacles for the EU-Serbia trade partnership related to lithium and other critical raw materials, Bernselova stated she was not aware of specific statements on legal barriers. She highlighted the signing of a letter of intent in September 2023 between the EU and Serbia, signaling a strategic partnership focusing on sustainable raw materials, battery value chains, and electric vehicles. This move is seen as a significant step towards fostering a competitive and sustainable electronic mobility ecosystem in Serbia.
European Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič recently affirmed the nearing finalization of negotiations for an official trade partnership aimed at supplying critical raw materials from Serbia to the EU. This development underscores the potential acceptance of projects like the “Jadar” Project within the stringent environmental framework of the Brussels bureaucracy.
Rio Tinto’s recent publication of environmental impact assessment drafts asserts the project’s alignment with the highest environmental protection standards of both Serbia and the EU. The company anticipates that these studies will stimulate informed public discourse on the proposed underground lithium and borate mine, which promises substantial economic benefits for Serbia and positions the country as a pivotal player in Europe’s green transition.
These assessments, compiled over six and a half years, involved over a hundred national and international experts, including forty university professors from multiple faculties. They encompassed more than 23,000 analyses of soil, water, air quality, and noise levels. While the publication of these drafts marks a significant step, it does not initiate the official environmental impact assessment process mandated by Serbian law.
The convergence of supportive scientific findings and the European Commission’s stance is expected to bolster confidence in advancing the “Jadar” Project. However, questions remain about the feasibility of undertaking such a massive endeavor without assurance of adherence to rigorous environmental standards.
