Press conference by the Federal Chancellor in Serbia
Serbia and the EU have reached an agreement on lithium mining in Serbia. The agreement would boost European collaboration in the supply of raw materials, said Federal Chancellor Scholz.
- Transcript of press conference
- Friday, 19 July 2024
Federal Chancellor Scholz at the press conference with Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić and the Vice-President of the EU-Commission, Maroš Šefčovič (right), in Serbia.
Photo: Federal Government/Guido Bergmann
Transcript of the press conference in German only
In the presence of Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Serbia and the European Union signed a strategic partnership agreement on sustainable raw materials, battery value chains and electric vehicles on Friday.
Prior to this, Mr Scholz met with Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić to discuss bilateral, international and European policy issues. One key point on the agenda was the EU membership process for Serbia and the other Western Balkan states.
The most important points from the Federal Chancellor’s press conference:
- Raw materials partnership between the EU and Serbia: At the Critical Raw Materials Summit, Serbia and the EU Commission signed an agreement concerning a strategic partnership on sustainable raw materials, battery value chains and electric vehicles. Federal Chancellor Scholz sees this as a boost to European collaboration in the supply of raw materials and promoting the modernisation of industry with the aim of meeting climate targets.
- Germany to provide expertise in support: With Germany’s support, the mining of the lithium required for battery production in Serbia will be subject to the “most rigorous environmental standards”.
- Broaden cooperation between the Western Balkan countries: Close cooperation in the Western Balkans is vital to stability and prosperity throughout the entire Western Balkans region. This is a goal that Germany has been promoting for more than ten years through the Berlin Process.
- EU membership prospects for Western Balkan countries: In a bilateral meeting with President Vučić, the Federal Chancellor emphasised that the EU membership process was “performance-based”, adding that Germany would continue to support Serbia and the other Western Balkan countries in implementing the reforms that are still necessary as they move towards EU membership.