Mayors from the ranks of VLEN will use municipal funds to fund an ethnic Albanian academy of sciences, which already exists in the form of an association.
VLEN co-leader and Tetovo Mayor Bilall Kasami, who hosted the meeting with academicians, said on Tuesday the time had come to form the academy, announcing that in the future, a way would be sought to place it in the frames of a law.
Though there hasn’t been support so far from ruling coalition partners, they are not discouraged and will not give up on the initiative. Mayors didn’t reveal how much taxpayer money would be spent on the association.
“VLEN has shown it’s here to bring about real changes and reforms. Through this project, we are creating not only a new institution, but also a new future for all young Albanian intellectuals. We are maximally committed and will be pushing this project together with the seriousness it deserves. This is an important step towards a new future where science, arts, and free thinking will be the pillars of our national development,” VLEN said.
The Government reiterated its stand, saying the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts was the only place for all academicians in the country.