Проектът на граф Андраши за отделянето на Македония (1877–1878)
Count Andrassy’s Project for the Separation of Macedonia (1877–1878)

Summary/Abstract: The exacerbation of the political crisis in the Balkans as the result of the struggles of the Balkan peoples for national self-determination was the prerequisite for the active intervention of Austria-Hungary in the European Southeast. The leader of imperial diplomacy Count Andrassy supported the thesis of co-operation with the Ottoman Empire and at the same time planned the breaking away of certain strategic regions from it. On account of its geographic position the importance of Macedonia and more specifically the valley of the Vardar river became the target of Austro-Hungarian expansion in the area. By the acquisition of these areas (Bosnia, Herzegovina and Macedonia) the Dual Empire became the principal arbiter in the Balkans in every respect. This scheme demanded the securing of the economic, military and political presence of Austria-Hungary. Taking into consideration the importance of these questions for the policy of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, Count Andrassy elaborated the project whereby requiring the partition of European Turkey and the restriction of the national-liberation movements in the area. The ultimate objective of the project was to occupy the outlet at Salonica by which the Empire would in practice impose its hegemony in every way. Such intentions during the last quarter of the 19th century emerged as a strong obstacle to Bulgarian reunification and created a number of artificial complications. The project was part of the plans of Ballplatz to subordinate the Balkans with a view to its own interests and to turn the region into a colony of the Danubian Monarchy.

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