Skopje, 16 October 2024 (MIA) – There is only one Academy of Sciences and Arts, and this position is shared by VMRO-DPMNE, the government and the academics from different ethnic communities, said Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski after it was announced that four municipalities, managed by officials of the Worth It government coalition partner, will finance the establishment of an Albanian academy of scienced and arts, to be registered as a citizens’ association.

Mickoski said Wednesday he doesn’t expect the junior partner’s move to negatively affect the ruling coalition. “Our position is principled and I have said on many occasions that ethnic and national topics are not my priority,” he stated. 

VMRO-DPMNE municipal councillors won’t vote in favor of funds from municipal budgets to be allocated for the financing of the establishment of the association.

“I wouldn’t want taxpayers’ money to be spent on non-governmental organizations, I’d like them to be spent on infrastructural projects… As president of the government, I remain committed to working for the good of the citizens, regardless of their ethnic origin,” Mickoski stressed.  

Earlier, DUI also reacted to the announced establishment of Albanian academy of sciences and arts in the country.

“DUI doesn’t agree with this principle of functioning. The Albanian academy has become a non-governmental organization and we’re not part of such projects,” stated DUI’s Faton Ahmeti.

Yesterday, the mayors of Tetovo, Gostivar, Chair and Zhelino in Tetovo met with officials of this association announcing they will finance it. 

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