As the world accelerates its transition away from fossil fuels, a new geopolitical and economic competition is emerging around renewable energy, green hydrogen, electricity exports, and critical clean technology infrastructure.

The European Union (EU) is looking for lithium to power its transition away from fossil fuels and help it compete in the global race for clean technology. Over the past three yearsm the bloc has been on a self-styled "raw material diplomacy" mission, inking resource deals with 13 countries including Canada, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Rwanda, Argentina and Namibia. Now, the EU has a new name to add to the list: Serbia.