‘Macedonian’ language classes in Aridaia (Pella)

6.9.2019

Question for written answer E-002678-19
to the Commission
Rule 138
Ioannis Lagos (NI)

A ‘Macedonian’ language centre is due to open in Aridaia (Pella) in early October. It will be run by the ‘Krste Misirkov’ non-profit association (‘Macedonian Movement to Promote the Mother Language’).

In view of this:

• 1.Can the Commission say how it can be acceptable in this context to use the Greek term for the Macedonian language, which was, since its creation 3000 years ago, a variant of the Doric Greek dialect, while the language spoken in Skopje is purely Slavic? Is this not an infringement of international law?
• 2.What action will the Commission take?
• 3.Does the Prespes agreement in fact provide for the possibility of misappropriation of the term ‘Macedonian’ by Skopje?