The European Union and Serbia have signed a strategic partnership to secure critical raw materials, particularly lithium, essential for the EU's green transition and electric vehicle industry. The agreement, signed by European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, also involves German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and aims to develop supply chains, R&D, and workforce skills. The deal follows the Serbian government's recent green light for Rio Tinto's controversial $2.4 billion lithium mining project in the Jadar Valley, previously halted due to environmental concerns. Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis are in talks to invest in the project, which could significantly boost Serbia's economy and strengthen its ties with the EU.