By Ahmet Nurduhan
BELGRADE (AA) - The lithium mines in Serbia challenge the balance of the country's relations with Russia and the Western nations.
Russia's closest ally in the Balkans, Serbia is trying to preserve its historical and cultural ties with Moscow while continuing to cooperate with Western countries to strengthen its economy.
Lithium mine reserves discovered in western Loznica city by the British-Australian metal and mining company Rio Tinto in 2004 have been the cause of ongoing protests in the country for years.
"Environmental activists", supported by the opposition, have organized large-scale demonstrations as they do not want Rio Tinto to carry out this project. The Serbian administration said the lithium mine is an opportunity for economic development.
- Serbia-Germany strategic partnership deal on electric vehicles
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Belgrade last month and signed a strategic memorandum of understanding on raw materials, electric vehicles and battery production.
Vucic said that the agreement was important for Europe and Germany.
"This is a turning point for us, a big change and important for us to be able to make a leap toward the future…We believe that our country will progress economically. This will bring us at least €6 billion ($6.5 billion) of new investment. It will be the largest investment ever made in our country,” he said.
Scholz said the agreement brings a good economic development perspective for mining activities in the region.
“This agreement is also good for the whole country. We will follow two principles, environmental protection and compliance with the highest standards in biodiversity,” he said.
Noting that this is a European project requiring European spirit, Scholz said he openly supported the integration of the Western Balkan countries into the EU.
- No excavation process at the moment
Vucic said in a press conference last week that there is no excavation process at the moment.
“No process will be carried out until we receive guarantees on our behalf, that is, in the next 12 to 18 months,” he said, adding that they will call the best experts from abroad and Serbia.
- Russian intelligence warns Vucic of 'coup'
On Aug. 9, Vucic said that Russian intelligence warned him that a "coup" could be carried out in the country with the support of Western powers.
"We have received official information from Russia. We are dealing with this… Serbia is developing and no one can stop it,” he said.
Political experts in the region say that the EU wants to open the way for Serbia's resources to reduce its dependence on China, which is currently among the most powerful investors in Serbia.
- Demonstrations against lithium mining project to continue
Meanwhile, over 20,000 people protested the lithium mining project and they closed train stations and roads to traffic.
Serbia’s Interior Ministry said a criminal complaint will be filed against the protesters who entered the train stations for "violating public order and peace.”
Protesters, who spent the night at the train station and other parts of the city, will continue their demonstrations on Sunday.
Also, Vucic is expected to address the nation at noon and assess the situation regarding these demonstrations.
*Writing by Gozde Bayar