President of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Art (SANU) Vladimir Kostic said that it was “important to express an opinion and when it is not suitable to the collective mind.”
“I will not let someone to determine what I can say and what not and what is a unique opinion corpus which I should adhere to,” said Kostic in a statement for the daily Vecernje Novosti.
Commenting on reactions to his original statement about Kosovo, for which he has said that it was “factually and formally lost for Serbia, while the only political wisdom is how to leave Kosovo with elements of dignity” – Kostic repeated that it was his personal opinion and not the position of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (SANU), but said that “it’s not right that people who did not hear integrally what I said – to discuss my views.”
Kostic added he “would not talk about whether I am a patriot,” and stressed that he could have left Serbia 20 times, for a lot of money – but he decided to stay “with his children and grandchildren.”
“Let Serbia itself decide who to trust,” said the Head of SANU, and added that the journalist who interviewed him “acted like a professional and had not provoked him” when he made the statements.
Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic reacted by saying that Kostic expressed his views “at a time the state is leading a difficult battle, despite tremendous pressure from those who promote the independence of Kosovo.”
Nikolic urged SANU to declare itself on Kostic’s stance, and whether he can remain the president of SANU after such statement.
Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said that he “cannot agree with Kostic’s statement” – but that everyone was entitled to their judgment and opinion and that he will not call anyone a traitor.
“It’s a bad time for such statements at a time when we are trying to prevent Kosovo’s membership in UNESCO,” said Vucic.
