Chilean President Gabriel Boric and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Agree to advance lithium strategic alliancewhich is crucial for the manufacture of electric vehicle batteries.

“We have agreed to a strategic partnership In these sustainable raw materials (lithium) and across the value chain. We will work hard to sign an understanding as soon as possible and work together,” von der Leyen said during a visit to Chile after meeting Borik.

Chile produces 34% of the world’s lithium It is estimated to hold 36% of the Earth’s reserves.

Lithium is the key Several countries aim to wean themselves off fossil fuels Facing the climate crisis, use electric cars with batteries based on this metal.

“We see the EU as a strategic ally On that issue,” Borik said.

At the end of April, President Borik proposed the National Lithium Strategy, in which Let the country appear in the whole production chainincluding public-private partnerships.

The head of the EU’s executive agency said: EU seeks ‘a like-minded partner’ and trustworthy in the development of this raw material”.

Von der Leyen has already visited Brazil and Argentina on his Latin American tour He will also take her to Mexicosigned a memorandum of understanding on raw materials including lithium on Tuesday in Buenos Aires, Its demand in Europe “will grow 12-fold by 2030”, as stated.

Argentina, Bolivia and Chile form the so-called “Lithium Triangle”, where Nearly 65% ​​of the world’s reserves

this The European Union is the main foreign investment group in Chile, Foreign direct investment in the country accounted for 26%.

During the visit to Santiago, Chile also signed two cooperation agreements with the EU electronicl Develop the green hydrogen energy industry.

its about Technical assistance programs and joint initiatives Funding projects to produce and use green hydrogen.

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