**EU’s Lithium Project in Serbia Sparks Controversy**
A project to develop the lithium reserves needed to power electric vehicles is at the center of a heated debate on the European Union’s (EU) doorstep. The project, backed by Brussels, aims to tap into Serbia’s lithium reserves, which are estimated to be enough to power 1 million electric vehicles and cater to up to 25% of Europe’s demand.
**Environmental Concerns and Corruption Allegations**
However, the project has faced intense resistance from Serbs who worry about environmental damage and accuse their political leaders of corruption and cronyism. Protesters have taken to the streets, and tensions have escalated further after a documentary labeled those who oppose the mining project as Russian agents. The claim has been repeated on international news outlets, including the Wall Street Journal.
**EU’s Priorities in Question**
The controversy has raised questions about the EU’s priorities. Will it prioritize its economic interests over fundamental values? If it decides to support the Jadar project, it will send a signal that the bloc is willing to overlook environmental concerns and corruption allegations for the sake of securing essential resources.
**Serbia’s Relations with Brussels at Risk**
The Jadar mine project has become entangled in Serbia’s relations with Brussels. The country’s aspirations to join the EU are now under threat due to the backlash against the project. With a score of 44 out of 100 in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, Serbia’s image is tarnished.
**What’s Next for Jadar?**
Industry Commissioner Stéphane Séjourné has announced 47 strategic raw materials projects under the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), but surprisingly excluded non-EU projects. The EU has declined to comment on whether concerns around Jadar had affected the decision. All eyes are now on whether the Jadar mine will appear on the EU’s next list of CRMA projects.
**Experts Weigh In**
Aleksandar Matkovic, a Belgrade-based researcher, believes that if the EU decides to support Jadar, it will have dramatic consequences for Serbia and the region. European lawmaker Hildegaard Bentele thinks that Jadar is crucial for Serbia, the EU, and the automotive sector.
**Conclusion**
The Jadar lithium mine project has become a symbol of the EU’s priorities: economic interests over fundamental values? The controversy surrounding the project threatens to undermine support for EU membership in Serbia. What’s next for Jadar remains unclear, but one thing is certain – the stakes are high, and the implications will be far-reaching.
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