The Jadar lithium project is not merely a mining initiative; it represents a critical test of Europe’s ability to act in its long-term strategic interests, stated Marko Čadež, president of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce (PKS), during a panel discussion at the European Parliament today. Čadež emphasized that Europe must build a resilient, sustainable lithium value chain to secure its green industrial future, rather than remaining reliant on foreign suppliers that leave it vulnerable to geopolitical influences and economic stagnation.
At the Brussels meeting, Čadež also shared an article on his LinkedIn profile in which he argued that the EU must take decisive action and support strategic lithium projects both within and beyond its borders.
Europe’s future in clean energy
“Ensuring the full integration of Serbia and the Western Balkans into Europe’s clean energy transition is not merely about mining—it’s about Europe’s future,” Čadež asserted.
When discussing the Serbian lithium project in Jadar, Čadež noted that facts alone won’t settle the debate on lithium mining in Serbia. In his view, the conversation surrounding lithium extraction isn’t about environmental standards or the economic impact, but rather politics, emotions, and disinformation fueled by entrenched interest groups from the old economy and politically motivated agendas.
Čadež made it clear that environmental compliance with EU standards is a given, and the Serbian government’s conditions are explicit: lithium must be processed within Serbia, adding value and strengthening the domestic industry.
Green industrialization beyond Jadar
In Čadež’s opinion, the discussion on lithium mining in Serbia should shift from focusing solely on the Jadar project to addressing a much broader question: can Europe lead the way in green industrialization?
He highlighted that Europe’s future ability to secure a stable, sustainable supply of lithium is not only critical to Serbia but to the entire EU. Europe must decide whether it will build its future in clean energy and electric mobility, or remain dependent on external sources.
“Currently, the EU imports nearly all of its lithium from outside the continent. Meanwhile, Serbia holds the third-largest lithium reserves in Europe, which could meet up to 90% of the EU’s needs for battery production,” Čadež explained. “Yet, while countries like the USA and China aggressively secure their critical raw materials, Europe hesitates.”
Čadež noted that although the EU has 19 lithium projects in development, only a few have been approved.
The role of disinformation
In countries such as Portugal, Germany and France, Čadež observed a pattern of disinformation involving a mix of legitimate environmental concerns, foreign interference, and local political dynamics, leading to delays and strategic paralysis.
He emphasized that the Jadar project is not just a mining endeavor; it is a litmus test of Europe’s ability to act in its long-term strategic interest.
A new focus on solutions
Čadež believes that lithium mining in Serbia needs to be discussed from a new perspective. Instead of getting stuck in a repetitive cycle of fact-checking and emotionally charged debates driven by political agendas, the focus should shift to finding concrete solutions.
He proposed that the EU create a regulatory framework for sustainable lithium extraction and suggested the establishment of an independent Lithium Working Group to oversee environmental and industrial compliance, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Serbia should also be fully integrated into the European Raw Materials Alliance (ERMA), ensuring that Serbian lithium is treated as a strategic EU resource. Čadež called for investments in the entire lithium value chain, not just its extraction, emphasizing that Serbia should focus on building its own lithium processing and battery production capacities.
A clear choice for Europe
The President of the PKS concluded that the choice for Europe is clear: either build a resilient, sustainable lithium value chain that secures its green industrial future or continue relying on external suppliers, exposing itself to geopolitical and economic risks.
“The choice is clear. Either Europe will build a sustainable lithium value chain, ensuring its green industrial future, or it will remain dependent on foreign suppliers, leaving itself vulnerable to geopolitical influence and economic stagnation,” Čadež said.
He reiterated the urgency for the EU to act decisively, supporting strategic lithium projects both within and outside its borders, while ensuring Serbia and the Western Balkans are fully integrated into Europe’s clean energy transition.
