Skopje, 25 November 2022 (MIA) – We had a really difficult meeting over the past two days, discussing history textbooks. There was a constructive atmosphere but we did not reach an agreement. We were close, an agreement is possible, we are optimists and will continue to harbor this hope for next year’s discussions on these topics, said Dragi Gjorgiev, co-chair of the North Macedonia-Bulgaria Joint Multidisciplinary Commission of Experts on Historical and Educational Issues, after the end of the meeting in Skopje on Friday. Gjorgiev said the debate focused on the Ohrid Archbishopric, with the Bulgarian members “wanting a change in the way it is represented in our textbooks”. “Different approaches in interpretation of sources from the Middle Ages result in this different approach when drafting recommendations for the textbooks. This is the main stumbling block in the commission’s work,” said Gjorgiev. According to him, Bulgarian counterparts have an approach of raising the issues at the level of a historiography debate. “These are recommendations for textbooks that should overcome certain misunderstandings and improve textbooks in both countries, not searching for consent between historiographies of Macedonia and Bulgaria. This is where the conflict arises and we find it difficult to surpass it,” said Gjorgiev. On the Bulgarian textbooks, he said the discussion was competed a year-and-a-half ago, with seven recommendations set to be implemented. “We are now discussing our textbooks,” added Gjorgiev. Bulgarian co-chair Angel Dimitrov confirmed that the Ohrid Archbishopric’s representation in textbooks was the main topic of discussion in the past couple of days, and despite initial expectations, no concrete results have been achieved. “I understand this is a very important topic and we hoped and were close to a result. We will continue at the next meeting in Sofia, the first one in 2023. I promise we will do everything possible to send positive signals and produce good results. We are done for this year, I wish more success in the next one for the citizens of both countries,” added Dimitrov. Asked about Bulgarian demands, he said they insisted on considering the scientific principles and multiperspectivity. “Multiperspectivity in education means that viewpoints of all parties are presented. These are historical events, not modern states having the right to their own viewpoint. History cannot have two root viewpoints that are valid. One is valid, the other is not. Which is the right one? This is determined by two scientific principles. One is the foundation of history science – observance of facts and historical sources, while the other is alignment with the dominant position in global terms. Having this in mind, we are calm and take into account the scientific principles,” said Dimitrov. On the remarks of the Macedonian members that Bulgarian counterparts dispute the Macedonian language and identity, Dimitrov noted “this has no significance and is not the topic of discussion.”