Skopje, 22 October 2021 (MIA) – Macedonian and Bulgarian historians on Thursday and Friday discussed several issues during the 15th regular meeting of the joint multidisciplinary commission for historical and educational issues of North Macedonia and Bulgaria, held online due to the coronavirus pandemic. Members of the Macedonian team of the commission told MIA that the meeting didn’t produce any solutions or recommendations due to the insistence of Bulgarian historians to impose their view of the past. The commission has held four of the five meetings scheduled for 2021. Several important issues were discussed at the latest session. “Commission members discussed at the first day of the meeting several proposals and ideas aimed at improving history textbooks in both countries. The Macedonian team’s proposals were based modern comprehension of history education, backed by UNESCO and the Council of Europe, accepting different views and interpretations of the past. After an exhausting debate, it was concluded on the second day that the two sides are far from reaching a solution that would improve the education process and accomplish the joint goal of building good neighbourly relations and friendship, unobstructed by the past and different interpretations of history,” the Macedonian team told MIA. During the second day of the meeting, they said, commission members discussed the idea of joint celebration of Goce Delchev. “Discussion on Goce Delchev highlighted the different approach to and understanding of history and its role in the two countries,” Macedonian historians stressed. The 15th meeting of the joint multidisciplinary commission for historical and educational issues took place amid an election period in both countries. North Macedonia is currently holding the campaign for the second round of the local elections, while Bulgaria campaigns for presidential and early parliamentary elections, scheduled for November 14. At the 14th meeting of the joint commission, held on June 10-11, the Macedonian team said it had “the most difficult talks yet.” The joint commission was established in line with the 2017 Friendship Treaty and is included in the 5+1 roadmap, as a possible solution to the dispute with Bulgaria and way to unblock EU accession negotiations.