Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Zorana Mihajlovic talked today about improving cooperation in the energy and mining sector with the newly appointed Australian Ambassador to Serbia Daniel Emery, who assessed that the lithium exploitation project near Loznica – Jadar, is important for Serbia and could affect greater investments of Australian companies in Serbia.
“I think that the Jadar project is very important for Serbia. It is potentially one of the most successful projects that will certainly influence numerous Australian companies to invest in Serbia, not only in mining, but also in other sectors,” Emery said, the Ministry announced.
He added that Australia is committed to cooperation with Serbia, especially in the part of new investments of companies from this country in the mining sector.
“We want to cooperate and go together through the energy transition. The opportunities are obviously great when it comes to investing in new energy capacities. We support Serbia when it comes to decarbonization of both energy and economy,” Emery said.
Mihajlovic stated that she hopes for the improvement of cooperation in the field of mining and energy, as well as a larger number of Australian investments.
“We are open to talks with Australian companies operating in this area. Our two pillars on which the new energy policy is based, which is in line with EU standards, are increasing energy efficiency and green energy. We have prepared a completely new investment plan worth 17 billion euros, with a special focus on renewable energy sources, because we want to change the energy mix of Serbia,” said Mihajlovic.
She reminded that this year is important for Serbia when it comes to energy and mining, because it has entered the process of energy transition.
“We have changed the legislative framework, we have completely new laws on RES and energy efficiency, we are also preparing two strategic documents – the energy development strategy and the national climate and energy plan with a vision until 2050. The plan is to get at least 40 percent of energy from renewable sources by 2040, and to be a decarbonized country by 2050,” said Mihajlovic.
She pointed out that this is not an easy task, given that Serbia now receives about 70 percent of its energy from thermal power plants, but pointed out that it is necessary to build new capacities, new hydroelectric power plants, wind farms, solar power plants and gas power plants.
The Jadar project is strategically important for Serbia and we believe that the company ‘Rio Tinto’ will meet all the conditions, in accordance with the highest environmental standards, and that we will get not only a lithium mine, but a complete production chain, including a battery factory or electric vehicles. All this represents the basis for the arrival of new investors and further economic development of our country, which will improve the overall bilateral relations,” said Mihajlovic.
Issues related to human rights and gender equality and cooperation in that area were also discussed at the meeting, Danas reports.
