At the next government session between the Macedonian and Bulgarian government, most likely to be held in December, the joint multi-disciplinary expert commission on historical and educational issues, set up under the Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighbourliness and Cooperation, will discuss progress and expectations, said Prime Minister Zoran Zaev in response to a parliamentary question on changes to textbooks.
“It is correct that part of the commissions are discussing textbooks, however once something is agreed, it will be shared with the public. Some of the textbooks refer to a “Bulgarian fascist bullet”, which is inconsistent with friendship. Whatever is decided in regards to changes to the textbooks, will be in the spirit of a long-lasting friendship,” said Zaev.
MP Blagica Lasovska from VMRO-DPMNE asked what the changes will be when it is an undisputed fact that the Bulgarians were occupiers.
“We all learned that the Bulgarians were occupiers. There is a museum in Prilep. Are we going to knock it down? Let’s not get into something that is an indisputable fact. Is it not a fact that the Bulgarians were occupiers? What are we going to change?” Asked Lasovska.
Zaev responded that history is what it is and will not change, but our attitude towards it will.
“It’s not the same writing a “Bulgarian fascist bullet” or a “fascist bullet”. We can choose to be at odds with our neighbors for another 100 years or to build a friendship without changing history,” Zaev said.
