The paper summarizes the conclusions of the International Seminar on Higher Education: the University of the 21st Century – Emerging models of Independence held 28 – 30 October 2005 held in Novi Sad. The participants representing a variety of countries, institutions, experiences and responsibilities are united by their commitment to make the European Higher Education Area a reality through European, regional, national and local policy and action. To assure this goal to be achieved the participants of the Seminar agreed that a number of question shall be answered. The paper sets out the list of the questions of concern, outlines the general principles which should guide and inform decision with regard to higher education and offers the ideas to be taken forward and examined in the context further dialogue between public authorities, higher education institutions, students and other stakeholders at European level as well as within the European region.