BERLIN — After years in the diplomatic doghouse, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić is being catapulted back into the political limelight thanks to the European Union’s — and particularly Germany’s — voracious appetite for the raw materials needed to build electric vehicles.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz plans to travel to Belgrade on Friday for a surprise visit to attend the signing of a cooperation agreement between the EU and Serbia on importing minerals, including lithium, that are critical for the EU’s digital and green transition, three people with knowledge of the preparations — who requested anonymity since they were not allowed to speak publicly — told POLITICO.
A government spokesperson later confirmed the visit.
Vučić had previously been largely isolated among European leaders due to his controversial flirtations with Russia and China, tensions with Kosovo and accusations of election fraud.