Giaufret: Jadar project not a prerequisite for Serbia’s EU accession

Giaufret told Nova TV that serious steps have been taken in the Western Balkans’ EU accession process over the last year.

In addition to IPA funds, six billion euros have been allocated for EU enlargement, with over one and a half billion earmarked for Serbia, explained Giaufret adding that this is conditional upon reforms that governments will need to implement.

Regarding lithium exploitation in Serbia, Giaufret said a strategic partnership on critical raw materials was signed with Serbia in July, but stressed that this is not a precondition for accession.

He said this is just one of many pieces of misinformation and lies he has heard on the subject.

The lithium issue is very broad for the EU, we now have a transformed economy and need critical raw materials to remain competitive, Giaufret said, adding that the EU has signed a series of partnership agreements on critical raw materials with Canada, Norway, and Serbia.

According to him, it is crucial to demystify claims that lithium and boron exploitation in Serbia is a condition for EU accession.

If Serbia and the EU decide to work on green transition and further integrate and develop the economy, it will be good for Serbia's integration into the single market, Giaufret said.

He described as absurd the frequent comments that the EU links everything with lithium and stressed that progress in the rule of law, media pluralism, and resolving issues with neighbors are far more important for EU membership.