German Chancellor Olaf Scholz praised a tentative deal between Serbia and the European Union signed on Friday that paves the way for the disputed excavation of lithium, a mega project that could reduce Europe's dependency on China but one that has been fiercely criticized by environmentalists and opposition groups.

Belgrade and the European Union signed a deal on Friday to give the EU access to raw materials mined in Serbia and strengthen their ties on production of sustainable raw materials, battery manufacturing and electric vehicles (EVs).

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz defended a planned Lithium deal with Serbia and said that the mining project will not have a negative effect on the region’s environment.

The European Union and Serbia on Friday sealed a landmark agreement to cooperate on the establishment of a critical lithium mine, with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Belgrade to sign the pact despite opposition from environmental activists.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz praised a tentative deal between Serbia and the European Union signed on Friday that paves the way for the disputed excavation of lithium, a huge project that could reduce Europe’s dependency on China but one that has been fiercely criticised by environmentalists.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić in Belgrade on Friday, with the two leaders signing an agreement for the European Union and Serbia to cooperate on establishing a critical lithium mine.