Minister of Education and Science Zarko Obradovic and Minister of Human and Minority Rights, Public Administration and Local Self-Government Milan Markovic attended yesterday opening of a Department of Subotica Faculty of Economics in Bujanovac.

Markovic, who is also head of the Coordinating Body for Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja, pointed out that from 31 Oct 69 students will attend the classes both in Serbian and Albanian languages.

He said that this is a historic day for Bujanovac since the opening of the department represents a successful ending of a joint three-year task implemented by the Ministry of Education and Science, the Serbian government, the OSCE and US, UK, and Albanian embassies.

The Minister underlined that starting today Bujanovac is an university centre, adding that young people should use this opportunity well.

The Serbian government and the Coordinating body for Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja will in the future continue to invest in the improvement of all aspects of life in these municipalities, Markovic stated.

Obradovic said that Serbia is determined to achieve steady and equal regional development which can be done only through appropriate education available in all country’s regions.

He stressed that opening of an institution for higher education in Bujanovac shows that we are determined to build a developed, democratic society where education is highly appreciated.

The minister pointed out that education and social justice constitute basic human rights, adding that opening of an institution for higher education in multi-ethnic society represents one of Serbia’s state interests since education of youth instigates tolerance.

Education of all students will be financed from the state budget, with Serbian and Roma students attending the classes in Serbian language, and Albanian students will have an opportunity to attend 14 courses in Albanian language.