Skopje has a distorted view of Bulgaria, says journalist Vladimir Perev

There is no political will in North Macedonia to resolve the issue of the rights of Bulgarians, according to Macedonian-born Bulgarian journalist Vladimir Perev, who was attacked by a provocateur in Skopje a few days ago. He told BGNES that not only are the authorities failing to work on the constitutional amendments they are obliged to implement, they are also neglecting basic human rights while promoting the 'Serbian World' project (a concept promoting unity among Serbs and those identifying with Serbian culture in the former Yugoslav republics — ed.), which he says is dividing Europe.

Commenting on a meeting in Skopje at which the government presented its draft 'Action Plan for the Protection of Community Rights,' Perev said: "It was nothing but smoke and mirrors, an attempt to obscure the situation so that it is unclear what is actually being discussed. As far as I know, the rights of Bulgarians were barely mentioned; more attention was given to the Roma community and other ethnic groups."

In Macedonia, he said, there is an expectation that the government will assume a 'heroic' role, either "saving" the state from the Bulgarians with external help or acknowledging "defeat" by claiming this is the will of the great powers. "We do not want to give rights to the Bulgarians, but we are being forced to. This narrative has been repeated for years."

Perev added that Skopje’s failure to persuade Bulgaria to recognise the so-called ‘Pirin Macedonians,’ or to relinquish the rights of Bulgarians in North Macedonia, gives the impression that the situation remains unchanged.

"But, in my view, the majority of the population — Macedonians, Albanians, Vlachs, Roma and Turks — see no reason why Bulgarians in Macedonia should not be included in the constitution. Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski may talk about 'fascism' and 'Nazism' — stories we have heard for a century — but he cannot explain why Bulgarians cannot be included in the constitution when all others can."

Perev said that in North Macedonia there is virtually no discussion of the EU’s positions or the latest progress report. "This is considered insignificant," he said. People still live with the illusion that one day someone will pull Borissov or Radev by the ear and tell them: "Sign what we tell you." There is still a belief that Bulgaria, a country defeated in two world wars, can easily be pressured. But today’s Bulgaria is no longer the Bulgaria of the past,” said Perev, who is 80 years old. "They do not understand the strong, European Bulgaria."

Editor: Ivo Ivanov
Posted in English by E. Radkova