The Bulgarian MFA is satisfied with the work of the Joint Commission on Historical and Educational Issues
At a briefing in the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the spokesman and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kostadin Kodzhabashev, said that they welcome the work of the Joint Commission on Historical and Educational Issues between Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia and encourage it to continue even more intensively in its efforts to as soon as possible completion of the work after all periods of the common history, says the correspondent of MIA from Sofia.
Deputy Minister Kodjabashev emphasized that with the Protocol signed in 2019, the governments of Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia practically accepted the proposals of the Joint Multidisciplinary Expert Commission on Historical and Educational Issues for the joint commemoration of the following figures from the common history of the two countries: St. Cyril and Methodius, St. Clement, St. Naum and Tsar Samuil, as well as general principles and notes on the content of textbooks for 5th grade in Bulgaria and 6th grade in the Republic of North Macedonia related to prehistory and ancient history.
In accordance with the Protocol of July 17, it has been agreed that Bulgaria and North Macedonia will publish the Protocol of 2019 with all its annexes within one month, recalled the spokesperson of the Bulgarian MFA. The publication of the proposals for 2019, approved by the governments of both countries, he points out, is a very important step towards familiarizing the public in both Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia with the results of the work of the Joint Commission.
According to the Bulgarian diplomatic department, this creates the necessary basis to continue the implementation of another important agreement from the Protocol under Art. 12 from July 17, coordination of a calendar of joint celebrations for the period 2022-2023 of the five joint historical figures, Kodjabashev adds.
"In the Protocol of the meeting on July 17, the Bulgarian and Macedonian sides agreed on a mechanism with specific deadlines for the publication of all future results and recommendations from the activities of the Commission. "Both sides have committed to implement this mechanism in good faith, as well as all other provisions relating to the 2019 and 2022 protocols," Kodjabashev concluded.