The four Spanish universities that form part of the Russian-Spanish University Alliance (AURE) -Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Universidad de Oviedo, Universitat Rovira i Virgili and Universitat de València- have decided to temporarily suspend the implementation of new actions or programmes under the aegis of the alliance. This is stated in a statement in which they explain that the decision is taken in the context of the European Commission, EUA, CRUE, COSCE and FACME recommendations, and in which, however, they underline "the role that universities around the world must play as institutions committed to peace and academic collaboration".

As they explain in the statement, "the links created between universities are academic and must always rise above political situations because what inspires and moves us is the shared vocation to build a better world from our classrooms, laboratories and libraries". Thus, they point out that academic institutions are an example of social and human progress, of peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding that transcends borders and conflicts. "But we cannot be oblivious to what happens in our environment, not to deepen the differences and tensions but to always find that space for understanding and peaceful conflicts resolution," they add.

JOINT STATEMENT

Universities are spaces for peace and reflection. Our academic ties must always rise above political situations because what inspires and moves us is the shared vocation to build a better world from our classrooms, laboratories and libraries. Universities have always been an example of social and human progress, of peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding that has transcended borders and conflicts. But we are not, and cannot be, oblivious to what is happening around us. Never to deepen the differences and tensions. On the contrary, to always find that space for understanding and peaceful conflicts resolution.

However, the reality of the armed conflict in Ukraine cannot be ignored, and in the context of the European Commission, EUA, CRUE, COSCE and FACME recommendations, the universities that are part of the AURE alliance have decided by mutual agreement to suspend the implementation of new joint actions or programmes, without prejudice to the completion of those already in existence and being executed, in the hope that peace will come and allow us to resume as soon as possible what has been a fruitful collaboration between this strategic alliance members.

We want to highlight, despite the circumstances we all regret, the role that universities around the world have to play as institutions committed to peace and academic collaboration.