Germany confident of reducing dependence on Chinese lithium after doing this with Serbia

Germany is looking to secure lithium supplies for electric vehicle makers as the EU tries to reduce its reliance on imports from China.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (left) and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic leave after a press conference in Belgrade, Serbia, July 19. (Source: AP)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz praised the provisional agreement signed on July 19 between the European Union (EU) and Serbia, paving the way for lithium mining.

It is a major project that could reduce Europe's dependence on China but has been heavily criticised by environmentalists and opposition groups.

Mr Scholz attended the Critical Raw Materials Summit in the Serbian capital, where a memorandum of understanding between the EU and Serbia on a strategic partnership on sustainable raw materials, battery supply chains and electric vehicles was signed.

“This is an important project for Europe,” the German leader said after the signing ceremony, adding that “the continent needs to maintain its sovereignty in a changing world and not depend on others, which is why it is necessary to explore new sources of raw materials.”

Germany, Europe’s biggest carmaker, is looking to secure lithium for electric vehicle makers as the 27-nation bloc tries to reduce its reliance on imports from the northeast Asian nation. Lithium is a key ingredient in the production of batteries for electric vehicles.

For his part, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that lithium mining will only take place if carmakers and battery manufacturers in Germany and several other EU countries build factories in the Western Balkan country, instead of directly exporting raw materials to those countries.

“Today, I am full of hope for the country. This will be a turning point, a big change and a leap forward for the future of Serbia,” said Mr. Vucic.

“I truly believe that we are creating a historic opportunity for Serbia and the EU,” said European Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic, who formally signed the memorandum on behalf of the EU.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/duc-tu-tin-giam-phu-thuoc-vao-lithium-trung-quoc-sau-khi-lam-dieu-nay-voi-serbia-279395.html