Relations between Serbia and Bulgaria, position of Bulgarian minority in Serbia and process of European integration
Relations between Serbia and Bulgaria, position of Bulgarian minority in Serbia and process of European integration

Author(s): Igor Novaković, Žarko Petrović, Tijana Jakšić
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Politics, International relations/trade, EU-Approach / EU-Accession / EU-Development, Ethnic Minorities Studies
Published by: ISAC - Centar za međunarodne i bezbednosne poslove
Keywords: Serbian–Bulgarian Relations; Bulgarian Minority in Serbia; European Union Integration; Minority Rights Protection; Cross-Border Cooperation
Summary/Abstract: Although Bulgarians in Serbia are not exposed to discrimination, during the process of Serbia’s integration to the European Union (EU), Bulgaria will insist on respecting of their rights. The intensity of the pressure will be determined by both the factual exercise of minority rights of ethnic Bulgarians in municipalities where they live, and the internal political dynamics in Bulgaria. It is possible that the official Sofia will have demands related to revision of certain historical, actual or constructed, injustices towards ethnic Bulgarians in Serbia, which will be delivered during the process of Serbia’s accession into the EU. Considering the fact Bulgaria is already an EU member state, official Belgrade will have to make additional efforts to persuade nationalistic politicians in Sofia that they will do all that is possible to improve the position of ethnic Bulgarians in Serbia, especially if using of the tempting rhetoric about protection of rights of Bulgarians in “Western Outlands” could bring political benefits for those politicians in domestic political scene.

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