Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002259/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Irena Joveva (Renew)
With the recent announcement of 13 new strategic projects under the Critical Raw Materials Act[1], including a lithium extraction project in Serbia, the Commission has taken steps to secure access to key resources needed for the green transition. However, the proposed Jadar lithium project has raised serious concerns among local communities in the Jadar Valley, civil society organisations, and numerous environmental experts.
Allegations of inadequate environmental impact assessments, limited public consultation, and risks to biodiversity have sparked widespread protests and highlighted the dangers of pursuing strategic partnerships without robust safeguards. More concerningly, the monitoring of these projects is reportedly ensured through national legislation and commitments made in letters of intent and memoranda of understanding (Art. 6 and Annex to the Critical Raw Materials Act).
- 1.How does the Commission intend to ensure that strategic projects in non-EU countries, particularly in candidate countries such as Serbia, comply with EU-equivalent environmental and labour standards?
- 2.In the light of the serious rule of law concerns highlighted in the latest accession progress report on Serbia, how does the Commission plan to ensure that monitoring is credible and effectively enforced in practice?
Submitted: 4.6.2025
- [1] Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 of 11 April 2024 establishing a framework for ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials (OJ L, 2024/1252, 3.5.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1252/oj).