Vucevic: Natural resources a guarantee of Serbia's independence

BELGRADE - Serbian PM Milos Vucevic said on Wednesday his government and President Aleksandar Vucic were safeguarding national interests, rather than the interests of private companies and other countries, and noted that, above all, he saw natural resources as an opportunity for economic strengthening and a guarantee of Serbia's independence.

"We believe mining has been an indispensable part of Serbia's development since mediaeval times. Serbia should not give up on natural resources and riches. I believe sustainable development and a balanced relationship between the economy and ecology are possible and that it is possible to use natural resources and protect the health of citizens and the environment," Vucevic told reporters in New Belgrade.

He added that the government was not safeguarding the interests of any private company or other states.

"Our state and national interest, and the people's interest, is to strengthen the country economically and politically. And we see these natural resources as a guarantee of Serbia's independence and as strengthening of Serbia's geopolitical position and, above all, its economy," Vucevic said.

Commenting on Tuesday's government decision in accordance with a Constitutional Court ruling that declared as unconstitutional and unlawful a 2022 government directive suspending a directive on establishing a special-purpose area for a project to mine and process jadarite, Vucevic said the government had acted "in keeping with the Constitutional Court decision."

Jadarite is a mineral that contains lithium.

Vucevic added that permits for studies were yet to be issued and that no lithium mine would be opened in Serbia in the next four to five years.