Greece seeks textbook changes in North Macedonia
Greece is pressing for the removal of what it describes as revisionist and irredentist references from school textbooks in North Macedonia, Deputy Foreign Minister Alexandra Papadopoulou told Parliament on Wednesday.
Papadopoulou said Athens considers certain terminology in educational material inconsistent with the 2018 Prespa Agreement and the constitutional framework of North Macedonia.
Textbook references challenged
The issue was raised in Parliament by Giorgos Rountas, an MP from the right-wing Niki party, who questioned the government over references to ancient Macedonian history in recently issued textbooks.
Rountas cited a sixth-grade textbook on the Macedonian language, arguing that it uses descriptions of the “homeland” and refers to Alexander the Great as “Alexander the Macedonian” without, in his view, sufficiently distinguishing ancient Macedonian history from the modern identity of North Macedonia’s citizens.
Papadopoulou said textbooks are approved and published by each country’s education authorities but stressed that Greece continues to seek what it considers accurate treatment of historical events, terminology and figures such as Alexander the Great and Philip II.
Prespa agreement framework
She referred to Articles 7 and 8 of the Prespa Agreement, which address the respective meanings of the terms “Macedonia” and “Macedonian” and provide a framework for reviewing historical, archaeological and educational material.
The agreement established a joint interdisciplinary committee on historical, archaeological and educational issues. The committee is tasked with examining textbooks, curricula and other teaching material and recommending changes where necessary, including in cases involving references considered irredentist or revisionist.
The committee has continued its work, including exchanges and reviews of primary and secondary education material, although progress has been uneven.
Dispute remains politically sensitive
The textbook issue is part of wider challenges surrounding implementation of the Prespa Agreement, which entered into force in 2019 and established “Republic of North Macedonia” as the constitutional name of Greece’s northern neighbor.
The agreement also sought to address competing historical interpretations and establish distinctions between the historical meanings of “Macedonia” and “Macedonian” used by the two countries.
Athens has repeatedly criticized instances in which North Macedonian officials use “Macedonia” without the country’s full constitutional name, citing concerns over compliance with the agreement.
Papadopoulou said Greece would continue raising the issue through the joint committee and diplomatic channels. She added that the committee’s deliberations and minutes remain confidential.
Source:tovima
