He spoke on the sidelines of a gathering of the European Political Group at Blenheim Palace, 60 miles north of London. Afterward, he flew instantly from close by Oxford airport to Belgrade, the place he’ll meet Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic Friday morning. Executives from the Mercedes-Benz Group AG and Stellantis NV may also be current.
Scholz, Vucic and the 2 carmakers plan to signal letters of intent geared toward growing Serbia’s lithium-processing and electric-vehicle battery business. Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis are at the moment in discussions with Serbia’s authorities to spend money on the nation, probably including contemporary assist for what might turn out to be Europe’s greatest lithium mine.
The carmakers, that are already companions in a battery three way partnership, are keen to observe Rio Tinto Group’s funding within the proposed $2.4 billion mine in Serbia by growing processing and EV battery output. Rio’s Jadar mine was blocked by Serbia two years in the past following mass protests triggered by ecological considerations.
Making a broader lithium business — fairly than simply exporting the uncooked materials — has been a key demand of the Serbian authorities in backing the Jadar challenge because it seeks to seize worth from its pure assets.
(By Arne Delfs)