Athens is demanding the removal of what it describes as revisionist and irredentist references from school textbooks used in the Republic of North Macedonia. Speaking to parliament on Wednesday, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexandra Papadopoulou stated that the inaccurate terminology violates both the Prespa Agreement and the constitution of the country, according to the Greek publication To Vima.
Parliamentary Clash Over Textbook Content
Alexandra Papadopoulou responded to a formal inquiry from Georgios Runtas, a lawmaker representing the small right-wing party “Niki”. Runtas raised concerns regarding what he characterized as irredentist references and the appropriation of ancient Macedonian history inside newly issued textbooks in North Macedonia.
Runtas specifically cited an official sixth-grade “Macedonian language” textbook. He claimed the publication describes the “homeland” as “always enslaved and tortured,” while designating Alexander the Great as “Alexander Macedonian” without establishing a clear distinction between ancient Macedonians and the modern identity of North Macedonia’s citizens.
Athens Position on Historical Terminology
Lawmaker Georgios Runtas questioned what specific measures the Greek government has taken through the joint interdisciplinary expert commission. This body was established under the Prespa Agreement to secure the removal of such references from educational materials.
Deputy Foreign Minister Alexandra Papadopoulou clarified that textbooks are officially approved and printed by the education ministry of each respective nation. However, she emphasized that Greece continues to insist on accurate representations of historical events, proper terminology, and the distinct origins and identities of historical figures like Alexander the Great and Philip II within North Macedonia’s educational materials.
The Prespa Agreement Framework and Commission
Papadopoulou pointed directly to Articles 7 and 8 of the 2018 Prespa Agreement during her parliamentary address. These articles govern how both countries understand the terms “Macedonia” and “Macedonian,” while setting up the legal framework to review historical, archaeological, and educational materials.
Under Article 8, both governments established a joint committee on historical, archaeological, and educational issues. The panel is tasked with examining school syllabi, textbooks, and related learning materials to issue recommendations for changes where necessary. Its mandate explicitly covers rooting out irredentist and revisionist references in alignment with the principles and objectives of UNESCO and the Council of Europe.
Implementation Challenges and Uneven Progress
The bilateral commission continues to hold meetings, although the pace of progress remains uneven. During these sessions, primary and secondary school curricula are exchanged, allowing both sides to review textbooks and other educational materials.
This textbook dispute forms part of broader and ongoing challenges in fully implementing the Prespa Agreement. The accord entered into force in 2019 to resolve a decades-long naming dispute, establishing “Republic North Macedonia” as the constitutional name of Greece’s northern neighbor.
Persistent Diplomatic Sensitivities
The issue remains politically sensitive in both Greece and North Macedonia. References by North Macedonian officials to the country simply as “Macedonia” rather than its constitutional name have repeatedly drawn sharp criticism from Athens, stoking concerns over compliance with the Prespa Agreement.
Papadopoulou confirmed that the Greek government will continue pushing its stance through the joint commission and standard diplomatic channels. Meanwhile, discussions and official protocols produced by the committee remain strictly confidential.
Questions About the Macedonian Textbook Dispute
What triggered the latest diplomatic dispute between Athens and Skopje?
Athens objected to newly issued textbooks in North Macedonia that include what it terms revisionist and irredentist references, as well as ambiguous terminology regarding ancient history.
What role does the Prespa Agreement play in this dispute?
The 2018 Prespa Agreement established a joint interdisciplinary expert commission under Article 8 to review school textbooks and learning materials for irredentist language.
How has the Greek government responded in parliament?
Deputy Foreign Minister Alexandra Papadopoulou told parliament on Wednesday that Greece insists on accurate historical terminology and proper distinctions regarding figures like Alexander the Great.
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