The European Commission says it remains committed to a strategic partnership with Serbia on raw materials despite recent protests and political tensions. Demonstrations in Belgrade escalated into large-scale protests. The unrest was linked to the Serbian government’s decision to allow Rio Tinto to resume lithium mining operations. President Aleksandar Vučić said the protests are influenced by Western powers, while the European Union denied any involvement.
Commission officials say the partnership is intended to support Europe’s energy transition by addressing supply needs for critical raw materials. The Commission has pointed to reducing dependence on China for these materials. In Belgrade, a memorandum of understanding was signed by Commission vice-president Maroš Šefčovič and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The agreement was concluded amid the political controversy surrounding lithium mining.
Protests, allegations and EU denial
The protests in Belgrade were sparked after Serbia moved to allow Rio Tinto to restart lithium mining. Vučić attributed influence over the demonstrations to Western powers. The European Union stated it has no involvement in the protests. The Commission’s position keeps the strategic raw materials cooperation in focus despite the unrest.
Memorandum signing and potential high-level visits
The memorandum of understanding signed in Belgrade involved Šefčovič and Scholz. The Commission said it remains determined to pursue the partnership following the signing. Separately, there are reports that French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen could visit Belgrade soon. No official confirmation has been provided for those potential visits.