Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić stated today that the case of professor Jelena Kleut from the Faculty of Philosophy in Novi Sad “has little to do with the state.” Vučić explained that the decision resulting in Kleut losing her job, after not being selected as a full professor, was made by her colleagues.
“I really do not know exactly what happened, but this decision was not made by the state; it was made by the professors. From what I understand, 18 voted in favor of the decision, five were against, and one abstained. These colleagues made the decision in accordance with the law. It has little to do with the state,” Vučić said while answering questions from journalists in Velika Drenova near Trstenik, where he attended the opening of a renovated elementary school.
He criticized that the autonomy of universities has been “destroyed by those who allegedly claim to defend it.”
“You have turned our universities and faculties into political party campaign headquarters, destroyed a year of teaching, and ruined the education of a whole nation irreversibly. That can never be restored. Certain individuals must be held accountable—the ones who destroyed the system. What did you expect, that someone would build a monument for you for destroying the country?” the President asked.
Despite unanimous support from expert and selection councils, the Senate of the University of Novi Sad denied Professor Jelena Kleut the appointment to the position of full professor, which resulted in the termination of her employment.
Yesterday, the Faculty of Philosophy in Novi Sad submitted an urgent request to the Administrative Court, asking for a temporary measure that would allow Kleut to return to work until the conclusion of her legal proceedings against the University of Novi Sad.
READ MORE:
“Serbia Will Show It Can Move Faster Towards the EU”
In Velika Drenova, Vučić also announced that Serbia would demonstrate its ability to move more rapidly toward the European Union.
“We created this (operational team for the EU accession process) to show that we can advance toward the EU, that we can move faster and tackle tasks for which, unfortunately, we did not show much interest in the previous period. You will see, and I am confident there will be results,” he said.
Responding to a journalist’s question regarding a Nova portal article titled “Operational Team for EU Integration or ‘Eye-Washing’ for Ursula von der Leyen: What Slaps Were Delivered in Davos, When Vučić Had to Come Up with This”, Vučić dismissed the claim.
He emphasized his respect for European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and noted that they maintain an open relationship.
“We do not have to share similar or joint positions on some issues, but respect is implied,” he said, adding that at the World Economic Forum in Davos, everyone listened to him with respect.
“I am the proud President of Serbia. The most powerful leaders in the world do not give me ‘slaps,’ nor do any officials or bureaucrats. In Davos, they watch me with respect and carefully listen to what I say. And when I am firm, I do not like to speak about it,” Vučić added.
The Serbian government recently decided to form an operational team for the EU accession process, tasked with “coordinating the accelerated implementation of all obligations on Serbia’s European path.”
A day after President Vučić proposed the creation of this team, the government adopted a revised and supplemented decision establishing the Coordination Body for Serbia’s EU accession process, composed of representatives at the highest state level.
Their task will be to ensure strategic guidance, political coordination, and timely resolution of issues of special importance for progress in accession negotiations, according to the announcement, which did not specify the members of the body.
MORE TOPICS:
Source: N1; Foto: ATA Images