A ROUND TABLE HELD AT THE UNIVERSITY BUSINESS ACADEMY: “EUROPEAN VALUES AND THE ACCESSION PROCESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA TO THE EUROPEAN UNION“
On May 22, 2023 the University Business Academy in Novi Sad hosted a round table entitled: "European values and the accession process of the Republic of Serbia to the European Union", The event took place in the main study hall of the Faculty of Law for Commerce and Judiciary in Novi Sad.
The monographic study "Application of European values in the policies of the Republic of Serbia", written by professors Vladimir Medović, PhD, Marijana Mladenov, PhD, and Jelena Vapa Tankosić, PhD, was presented at the round table. The monographic study contains the results of the research on European values and the process of accession to the European Union, conducted in the period from 2020 to 2023 within the framework of the Jean Monnet Module: “Application of European values in the policies of candidate countries“.
The Minister for European Integrations of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, Tanja Miščević, who attended the meeting, said that Europe is not something that is far away. "It is definitely a big change when it comes to the adoption of the required laws. But it is much more about our understanding that there is an obligation to properly implement those laws that will bring us not only economic progress, as we have shown, but also progress in the rule of law, which we are going to discuss today. Europe does not only imply a set of ideals and values. We actually share the same values and have traditionally been a part of them. What we are trying to do is to keep pace in areas such as environmental protection, where both the potentials and the cost are very high. That required step always refers to the reform of the judiciary, which is a constant and permanent process. There is no end to judicial reform, as certain things are changing as we speak. The discussion about European values must become ever-present in our country," said Prof. Tanja Miščević PhD, Minister for European Integrations. She also added that without dialogue we cannot reach the best solutions for us all in Serbia.
Prof. Marijana Carić, Ph.D, as Council President of the University Business Academy, said that this higher education institution has more and more international projects financed by the EU. "The rules and regulations that we are applying and studying here are valid for the candidate countries," said Prof. Marijana Carić.
Prof. Dragan Soleša PhD, Rector of the University Business Academy, emphasized that our University has already been granted the famous Jean Monet Module three times. "In the competition of over a thousand universities from all over the world, which participated in the Jean Monnet open call for applications, 240 won the project. We were ranked as the 32nd candidate for this module. This shows that quality obviously resides here" - said prof. Dragan Soleša.
Prof. Milan Počuča PhD, Vice-Rector for Science and Dean of the Faculty of Law for Commerce and Judiciary, during his address, emphasized that it was an extraordinary honor for him to greet everyone on behalf of the scientific part of the academic community of the University Business Academy in Novi Sad. "I am sure that the journey to Europe, with all the challenges that lie ahead, depends to a large extent on us, but it is evident that part of the solution is based on cooperation within science." It is certain that scientific cooperation will open some closed or half-closed doors on which we are knocking. I believe in the scientific community of the Republic of Serbia, its potential, knowledge and competitiveness within the European scientific circle," emphasized prof. Milan Počuča.
Prof. Vladimir Medović PhD, Project Manager and Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law for Commerce and Judiciary, said that the purpose of the program is for young people to obtain the necessary knowledge at the end of their studies, which will enable them to build successful professional careers. "The aim of these modules is to bring the process of European integrations closer to students. What is happening in Europe, what are the possibilities, even when speaking of employment? How can they reach Europe, what can Europe do for us? All this raises the quality of the overall education process that exists at the University Business Academy" - said Professor Medović.
Prof. Jelena Vapa Tankosić, Ph.D., presented the results of the research conducted among the judges of the Court of Appeal in Novi Sad, which aimed to determine the level of knowledge of the international requirements from the Republic of Serbia in the field of environmental protection, as well as the ability of judges to correctly interpret and apply international agreements in the field of environmental protection and the fight against climate change, as well as recommendations in the context of solving the perceived deficiencies in terms of the ability of judges to apply the regulations in question.
Prof. Marijana Mladenov PhD pointed out that the importance of the Jean Monnet module is reflected in the fact that it is a type of international project that includes both teaching activities and scientific i.e. research work, and that the framework of scientific research carried out is determined by the previously conducted teaching process. Prof. Mladenov emphasized the relevance of international agreements that were the subject of research in the context of the accession of the Republic of Serbia to the European Union, as well as recommendations regarding the perceived challenges.
A Q&A session followed the presentations and speeches of the participants, after which a cocktail was organized for all the attendees of the round table.
