THE STATUS OF MACEDONIAN EDUCATION AFTER THE AGREEMENT FOR FRIENDSHIP, GOOD NEIGHBORHOOD AND COOPERATION BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA AND THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA FROM 2017

Abstract

The independence of the Republic of Macedonia in 1991 visibly stirred the spirits of the
neighboring states that included part of the territory of geographical and ethnic Macedonia.
These countries, aware of the new situation, and especially of the struggle of the Macedonian
state for international recognition, as well as for membership in the Euro-Atlantic integrations,
used every opportunity to achieve goals that ranged from changing the Constitution, the
constitutional name, the national flag, education, to degrading definitions of language, history,
culture and other interference in the internal affairs of the state at multiple levels. It is evident
that a special emphasis was placed on education, or rather on history and history textbooks, and
in the case of Bulgaria, additionally on the Macedonian language and culture, with which the
intention is to prove that Macedonians do not exist, nor a Macedonian state that would
encouraged self-determination of other Macedonians in neighboring countries. Because of that
our interest is to raise the question: if this is the moment when the Bulgarians should impose
their demands and causes, for the Macedonians this is the moment when they should not
succumb to the Bulgarian demands. After all, assimilation does not belong to the XXIst century,
it is part of previous centuries, and assimilation of the Macedonians is even less possible because
if it was not done when they did not have a state, institutions and their own education, at a time
when they have all of the above, it is simply impossible. That is why real good neighborly
relations, facing the historical truth accepted by the world, apologizing for historical crimes,
mutual respect and putting an end to the endless demands to highlight one's own at the expense
of others are the solution for permanent reconciliation in the Balkans.