MEMORANDUMS OF COOPERATION WITH FACULTY IN NORTH MITROVICA - SIGNIFICANT STEP TOWARDS STRENGTHENING TIES AMONG SERB PEOPLE

NORTH MITROVICA, OCTOBER 16 /SRNA/ – Representatives of the Faculty of Philosophy in North Mitrovica today signed memorandums of cooperation with the Historical Sciences Institute of the University of Istočno Sarajevo and the Brčko Faculty of Economics of the same university.

The signing ceremony in North Mitrovica was attended by Republika Srpska Minister for Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education Draga Mastilović, who assessed that it is as a significant step towards strengthening ties among the Serb people on both sides of the Drina River, particularly for Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija as they are exposed to various forms of pressure and living in extremely difficult conditions.

"It is questionable whether such an example of terror being inflicted on the Serb people can be found anywhere else in the world today. Republika Srpska knows very well what it means to fight for a state, to secure one and to defend it. That is why I believe the people of Republika Srpska fully understand, perhaps better than anyone, the position of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija," Mastilović stressed.

He says it is a great honour to attend the signing of the memorandums and that he is in North Mitrovica today to express support not only for higher education institutions but also for the entire Serb population in Kosovo and Metohija, to persevere in their epic struggle, which is admired by Serbs in Republika Srpska.

He expressed hope that, as a plenary speaker at a scientific conference in North Mitrovica, he would contribute not only to science and higher education but also to strengthening ties among the Serb people across different regions, emphasizing that bringing young people from all Sern communities closer together was one of the essential directions for future cooperation.

"As a people, we cannot achieve a high level of integration if we do not know one another. That is why I believe we will work intensively towards this goal in the coming period, with Serbia and Republika Srpska working to bring our young people together so that they can learn more about the history, culture and identity of the Serb people throughout the region," Mastilović told Kosovo Online.

He said it was important for school pupils and university students, in addition to visiting European cities, to learn about places of particular significance to Serb history, such as Ćele-kula /the Skull Tower/, Stari Brod and Jasenovac.

Memorandums of cooperation were also signed today in North Mitrovica between the Faculty of Philosophy in North Mitrovica and the Milenko Bodin Centre for Applied Philosophy and Social Research in Belgrade.

The memorandums were signed as part of celebrations marking the 66th anniversary of the Faculty of Philosophy in North Mitrovica. A three-day scientific conference also opened today, bringing together 284 authors from ten countries.