Brnabić: A clear answer to the lies of Djilas - "Here's who brought Rio Tinto to Serbia"

She pointed out that as the Speaker of the Serbian Parliament and former Prime Minister, she felt the need to respond to the falsehoods spoken by Dragan Djilas, who stated that it was not true that the Democratic Party issued a license to Rio Tinto.

"I found a document from the APR. In the Republic of Serbia, the daughter of Rio Tinto - Rio Sava was founded on May 16, 2021. Who was in power then? Who brought Rio Tinto to Serbia? On June 8, 2004, the first permit was issued - The Government of the Republic of Serbia gives an investigative permit, the Prime Minister was Vojislav Koštunica, January 17, 2005 - the investigation of Rio Tinto is approved within the extended borders, Ministers Radomir Naumov, Prime Minister Koštunica, President Boris Tadić. At that moment, Dragan Djilas is the director of the People's Office of the Republic.

On September 26, 2005, a new mining law was adopted in the municipality of Loznica - the exploitation permit is obtained through a public bidding process or by collecting bids, especially in the case when mineral raw materials of strategic importance are provided. In 2006, the amended law on mining abolished this, but introduced the rule that whoever has an exploration permit has the right for exploitation. On January 15, 2007, additional new exploration fields were approved for Rio Tinto. On January 4, 2008, the continuation of geological research on nine additional fields was approved.

What, Mr. Djilas, the Democratic Party didn't know what it was about? Minister for Environmental Protection from the Democratic Party. In 2008, Miloš Jovanović was already an advisor in the Government. On August 28, 2008, additional research was approved for Rio Tinto. Prime Minister Mirko Cvetković from the Democratic Party is already there. September 15, 2009, eight new research points. April 14, 2011, new checkpoints. Mirko Cvetković is still at the head of the government. What is interesting is that the DS attaches the Ministry of Environmental Protection to the Ministry of Mining, headed by Oliver Dulić. Then, the Mining Law is changed again, in 2011, under the Democratic Party rule.

On November 22, 2011, the Parliament adopted the unified Law on Mining and Geological Research. Immediately after that, in a parallel process, the government adopts the 2012 National Strategy for the Sustainable Use of Resources and Goods. Those same people are now against it. When were they wrong - then or now? Or is it all political opportunism? One of the world's leading mining companies entered the entire investment, and now they don't know about Rio Tinto? On February 1st, the execution of works in deposits of larger volumes is approved," said Brnabić.

"So much about how they didn't know what was happening. I didn't see Srdjan Milivojević, Marinika, Borko Stefanović, Zelenović yelling 'we don't give Jadar'. Marko Blagojević, the godfather of Dragan Djilas, sold the land. They sold their land and now when they left, they are protesting against Rio Tinto. Mrs. Tepić, who sold her land, says - stop Rio Tinto. The rule here is 'take the money, then spit on the one you sold it to'."

Brnabić stated that in 2017, Djilas was the only one who did not change his story.

"He says let's talk about the concession, let's talk about the battery factory. Then Borko Stefanović says that at that time Djilas didn't know about the consequences on the environment. He repeats it to Djilas in 2023 and says that it's a development opportunity. That's all about it that the DS had nothing to do with it. For 11 years, they were not against it, but for it. I guess your political future is more important than the national interest," said Brnabić.

"You have just accused me of working for a private company and not for the people. I work in the interest of the citizens of the Republic of Serbia. As for the signing of the agreement with Rio Tinto in 2017. I was present at the signing, in the press room of the Government, I have invited everyone, all the media No one is against it, but it is a huge opportunity for Serbia. I was in the hall of the city of Loznica in 2021, and I said that Rio Tinto had completed the study of environmental protection. No one from Gornje Nedeljice came. I was in London, at a meeting with Rio Tinto, to ensure that there was a value chain, not that we were exporting raw materials. We worked on everything so that it remains in Serbia, that everything must be in accordance with the highest standards. In 2022, I put an end to the fact that it was completely politicized. All of a sudden, Rio Tinto is the devil, but I will not defend Rio Tinto. How come those who said in 2012 that mining is the most potential, suddenly are against Rio Tinto", Speaker of the Serbian Parliament concluded.