"The people in Serbia decide on the lithium mine, America supports the government's position"

But the people of Serbia should decide whether there will be a mine, said Payat in an interview for Voice of America.

He added that Western countries are looking for an alternative in the lithium supply because they are dependent on China.

Payat also responded to claims from Moscow that the West is overthrowing the government in Serbia through protests against lithium, pointing out that the situation is the opposite - that America supports the government in Serbia in connection with the "Jadar" project and Rio Tinto.

This project is an opportunity to improve the relations between the EU and Serbia and to accelerate the energy transition. Answering whether this issue is important, not only because of the strengthening of ties between Serbia and the EU but also for Serbia, Payat pointed out that Serbian citizens will make this decision.

"The people of Serbia should decide on that. This is a generational opportunity for Serbia to take a leadership position in the industry, which will be very important in future competitiveness in the USA, Europe, and beyond,'' he said.

He noted that reducing the West's dependence on China is crucial and there is a systematic attempt in the EU, and the US to diversify the supply chain.

"The question of where this diversification will come from is still open. Serbia’s geology has a unique opportunity to play a globally significant role in that process," he pointed out.

Payat said lithium is also necessary to meet climate goals, and for the world to adhere to green transition plans, lithium supplies need to increase 42-fold by 2040. He pointed out that lithium is also mined in Nevada, while California is leading the way in extracting lithium from salt water.

"How Serbia develops its resources should be decided by the people of Serbia. I am here to tell you that, from the American point of view, we see a generational opportunity for Serbia to take a leadership position, not only in lithium mining. We must develop the processing of these minerals and provide added value,' he said.

Payat emphasized that Europe and the US are moving towards the electrification of transport, which requires much more minerals for batteries.

"Serbia can play a significant role in all of this, especially in the European supply chain," he concluded.

Payat rejected criticism of the "Jadar" project, which states that Serbia's role is to be a "mining colony for rich countries" since lithium mining has not started in any other European country.

"Serbia needs to start producing more valuable things, that's what we're trying to do here in the US, and that's where our interests coincide," the official said.

He pointed out that Rio Tinto is the subject of an audit by its shareholders and must comply with regulations in all markets in which it operates, thus maintaining better environmental standards than Chinese companies.

Payat characterized Russia's allegations that the West, through protests against Rio Tinto, wants to destabilize the situation and overthrow the government in Serbia as "meaningless", according to the Voice of America.

"We support the government in Serbia and its position in this project. Why would we be interested in fostering the opposition?' asked Payat.