Djedovic Handanovic meets with German ambassador

BELGRADE - Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic received German Ambassador to Belgrade Anke Konrad on Friday to discuss cooperation in the fields of critical mineral raw materials and energy transition.

"Since Germany is working on opening a lithium mine, and since Serbia has confirmed reserves of the strategic mineral, we are interested in working on an exchange of knowledge and experience through connecting scientific and educational institutions of the two countries," a statement released by Djedovic Handanovic's ministry quoted her as saying.

She noted that the EU had recently included the Jadar lithium mining project in Serbia in a list of strategic projects outside its territory as the project could help diversify its supplies of necessary raw materials that were crucial for energy transition.

The minister said this was an opportunity to develop the Serbian industry and become a part of a European value chain in battery and electric vehicle production.

She also said the construction of a 66 MW Kostolac wind farm was in its final stage.

Konrad said her country was providing strong support to Serbia in energy transition and sustainable mining, and noted Germany's readiness to exchange knowledge and experience in mineral resource research and exploitation.

The ambassador also said Germany was committed to helping Serbia in development of hydrogen infrastructure and industrial and other uses of hydrogen and that it would secure grants for that purpose as part of a climate partnership.