Former Greek PM Samaras criticizes government over North Macedonia and Bulgaria cultural deal
Former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras condemned Athens for concessions following remarks by Ursula von der Leyen on North Macedonia and a cultural exchange that sent Tsar Samuel's bones to Bulgaria.
Criticism of European rhetoric on North Macedonia
Former Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras published a video address on social media on 3 October 2026, delivering sharp criticism of the Greek government's foreign policy record. Recorded with the White Tower of Thessaloniki in the background, the intervention described recent diplomatic developments as a double blow for Greece. Samaras directed his opening remarks against statements made by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during a joint press conference with North Macedonia's Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski. Von der Leyen had welcomed North Macedonia while referencing its Macedonian identity and language. Samaras argued that the Greek government remained completely silent while regional diplomacy deteriorated beyond the scope of the Prespa agreement.
Mrs von der Leyen, who I do not know which Europe she represents, expressed admiration for the so-called Macedonian language and the Macedonian culture of Skopje. Things have become much worse than the Prespa fiasco and we watch silently.
The Bulgarian relic exchange dispute
The second component of the address targeted a bilateral cultural exchange agreement announced on 3 October 2026 by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Bulgarian leader Rumen Radev. Under the arrangement, Bulgaria received the bones of Tsar Samuel with top official state honors. Samaras noted that the transfer fulfilled a Bulgarian national ambition spanning more than 100 years. He compared the cultural and symbolic weight of the bones for Bulgaria to a hypothetical return of the remains of Alexander the Great to Greece.
Samaras criticized the reciprocal returns received by Greece, pointing out that the agreement yielded only 48 ecclesiastical relics. These items were part of thousands of sacred artifacts seized from monasteries and churches in Northern Greece by Bulgarian forces during the First World War. Samaras stressed that during his time as prime minister, he had demanded the unconditional return of every stolen item rather than accepting a limited fraction.
As prime minister I had demanded that they return all stolen items to us, and unfortunately today we sound retreat with celebrations. This is not Greece.
- Ursula von der Leyen and Hristijan Mickoski hold a conference referencing Macedonian identity.
- Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Rumen Radev announce the Greek-Bulgarian cultural exchange.
- Antonis Samaras publishes a video statement criticizing government foreign policy as a retreat.
- Maximos Mansion and Pavlos Marinakis issue statements citing Holy Synod backing and EU accession rules.
Government response and regional diplomacy
Officials in Athens responded directly to the remarks on 3 October 2026. Government sources at the Maximos Mansion addressed the criticism surrounding the cultural exchange by pointing to the official announcement released by the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece, describing it as the definitive answer regarding the returned relics.
Greek government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis followed with a statement addressing regional diplomacy, responding to allegations of government inaction without naming Samaras directly. Marinakis stated that North Macedonia's accession route into the European Union inevitably passes through Greece and requires absolute compliance with agreed terms. He maintained that Greece has demonstrated it consistently undertakes all necessary actions to protect national interests in regional disputes.
