No one is crazy enough to poison people, Vucevic tolls opposition MPs

BELGRADE - Serbian PM Milos Vucevic said in the parliament on Thursday no decision to start lithium mining had been adopted in Serbia, but only a government directive on a spatial plan for a special-purpose area.

"No one is stupid enough or crazy enough to jeopardise any part of Serbia or play with the destiny of their own people. We all breathe the same air and drink the same water, and no one has any intention of leaving Serbia or changing it - the intention is to protect and develop it. I believe natural wealth has been given to us by God and we must utilise it in the right way to develop the country," Vucevic told opposition MPs who had criticised lithium mining plans.

"It is possible to have sustainable development, economic development, while looking after environmental protection and the people's health," Vucevic said.

"That has been proven in many states, and it is possible in Serbia," he noted.

He said "scaring the people with cheap catchphrases" was unserious and irresponsible.

"But it would have been fair if you had asked these questions of your coalition partners who brought Rio Tinto here and gave it exploration rights, and who changed laws so that it can proceed from exploration to exploitation," Vucevic said.

"No one is crazy enough to poison their own people and work against their own country. Shame on you for saying such things and constantly scaring your own people," he added.