Lithium mine in Serbia is not among the ‘strategic projects’ of the EU – what does – BBC News in Serbian
A paged list, and there is no Jadar project on it, although the word lithium is often mentioned.
The European Commission (EC) published List 47 « Strategic Projects »which should provide raw materials, including lithium, necessary for the European « green transition » and reducing pollution.
The British-Australian company Rio Tinto Jadar was not included, although the possibility was left to happen in the future.
« The Commission received 46 applications for projects in third countries.
« The decision on a possible choice of such projects will be adopted at a later stage, » the EC announced.
That Jadar was reported for the status of the « Strategic Project », NGOs that warned the EC that the Lithium Mine was published does not meet environmental standards.
The European Union adopted the Law on Critical Raw Materials last year, which envisages the selection of « strategic projects » to reduce and depend on imports of such raw materials from China.
Among 47 strategic projects, most refers to lithium, and all are in EU countries.
« The story of critical raw materials is the new and the European Union establishes the rules in the walk that therefore will be treated.
« We can’t know why projects are delayed. Whether they cannot make a decision on the Lithium in Serbia at the moment, » says Vladimir Medak, the Consultant in the Field of European Integration and EU Consulting, for the BBC in Serbian.
For strategic projects, projects from the EU and third countries could be applied, but with the condition of meeting « high environmental and social conditions », As discussed from the EC for the EWB portal.
There was no special procedure for EU projects and outside the EU, in the same process, a decision was made for both, and not later, Mirko Popović, Program Director of the Non-Governmental Organization Reri, for the BBC in Serbian.
Rio Tinto did not answer the BBC issues in Serbian about the last EC decision and further plans for the Jadar project.
The announced excavation of lithium in Serbia was the reason for several mass gatherings, on which the negative impact of this ministry environment was an emphasis.
Olaf Solc, the then German Chancellor, said last year in Belgrade that the Jadar project was good for Serbia.
During his visit, an optional Memorandum on the partnership of Serbia and the EU was signed in the field of sustainable raw materials, which also belongs to Lithium.
German Chancellor and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said then that environmental protection standards must be respected during the lithium excavation.
What does the European Commission say?
« Critical raw materials are irreplaceable for European decarbonation.
« But Europe currently depends on third countries for many raw materials that we needed by 47 new strategic projects that will for the first time to provide us with their own domestic raw materials, » Stefan Sezurne, Executive Vice President for Industrial Strategy.
That Jadar received the status of a strategic project, « it would certainly be a signal to meet environmental protection standards, human and social rights and that the state in which the standard good governments are implemented, » Mirko Popović said.
Based on, the information and events that followed the protests against Lithium, the Rury, considers that this is not the case, it expires.
Companies whose projects are marked as « strategically » more easily obtains permits, which does not imply a reduction in environmental protection, also facilitated access to funding, explains Popović.
Neither the Rio Tinto, nor any other company, can report the EC project for the status of « strategic » without gaining approval from the state in which the project would be implemented, the EC for the EWB portal in July last year.
« In case some project of EC declares strategic, authorized bodies in countries in which projects implemented are not obliged to issue permits to performers, » it is said.
Non-governmental organizations March from Drina (Serbia) and Green Legal Impact (Germany), asked for last year from the EC that a jadar did not become a « strategic project ».
« Jadar project should not obtain a strategic status from legal, environmental, social and political reasons.
« Famous risks include mining activities that endanger environmental water resources, repression over environmental activists, lack of administrative transparency and responsibility, » they stated.
‘Political question’
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić « The only one who pushes the » opening of the Lithium Rudnik, but it « cannot provide the European Union, » Vladimir Medimir is considered.
« In case of political change, no future authority will disturb that project, because it is a completely toxic topic in Serbia.
« From the point of view, it would be the smartest to give up and return to things that are more important, such as security in the Balkans and democracy, instead of neglect these questions about the Lithium that will not be realized, » he says.
According to earlier estimatesThe lithium from Serbia could satisfy between ten and 15 percent of the needs of Europe by 2030. years.
« Lithium mine We inevitably, we must also observe as a project that has significant political and social implications in Serbia and the European Union.
« Nor is the entire EU, nor did all individual members support this project, » says Mirko Popovic.
After numerous environmental gatherings, previous four months last protests, led to students who are responsible for tragedy in Novi Sad, indirectly led to Prime Minister Miloš Vučević and the fall of government.
Currently, there are no institutions in the country that would decide on the continuation of the Jadar project, Popović adds.
« It should be a big hazard, so that the state administration says ‘Let’s continue on this project.' »
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