Survey: Macedonians believe that Serbia is their Best Friend and Bulgaria their Greatest Enemy

[Dušan]

Macedonians believe that Serbia is their best friend, and Bulgaria - a country that poses a threat to them. This is shown by the data of a sociological survey by the "Brima" agency, conducted by telephone in the period from December 12 to 27, 2022, among 1,006 respondents.

The study was commissioned by the Skopje-based non-governmental organization Eurotink - Center for European Strategies.

To the question "Which country or international organization is Macedonia's greatest friend?" the answers are arranged as follows: Serbia - 37%, USA - 11.4%, Turkey - 8.5%, EU - 8.1%, Germany - 4%, Kosovo - 3.1%, NATO - 2.9%, Russia - 2.5%, Albania - 1.6%, Croatia - 0.6%, China - 0.5%, Bulgaria - 0.5%, Greece - 0.3%.




The responses of those who believe that there is a country or international organization that poses a threat to North Macedonia are arranged as follows: Bulgaria - 27.6%, Russia - 4%, Albania - 1.3%, Kosovo - 1.2% , Serbia - 1.1%, USA - 1.1%, EU - 1%, Greece - 0.9%.



According to 29% of the respondents, North Macedonia will never enter the EU, according to 16% - after 5-9 years it will enter the EU, and according to 15% - after 10-14 years.

https://www.novinite.com/articles/21...Greatest+Enemy

[Straightman]

The result of generations of brainwashing by communist Yugoslavs and then by their own brainwashed kind. They are confused Bulgarians in reality.
This map from an American historical atlas from 1911 proves it and there are countless maps and writings that say they are Bulgarian.

https://maps.lib.utexas.edu/maps/his...herd_1911.html

[Dušan]

The result of generations of brainwashing by communist Yugoslavs and then by their own brainwashed kind. They are confused Bulgarians in reality.
This map from an American historical atlas from 1911 proves it and there are countless maps and writings that say they are Bulgarian.

https://maps.lib.utexas.edu/maps/his...herd_1911.html

The more presure on them to impose on them Bulgarian identity, the more they dislike Bulgaria and see them as enemy.

North Macedonians have their own identity and are satisfied with it.

By the way, that map is wrong, there were no Albanian majoriy in Niš area.
Also, southern Bačka and parts of Banat in white colour, had Serbian majority.

[Victor]

They are very different with Bulgarians by mentality and traditions. But, original Macedonian culture of the region is more plebeian, Bulgarian higher culture dominated there, all the saints, Fathers of Church, englighteners were Bulgarian. Communists as usual damaged the superior culture in favor of plebeian/inferior (Ukraine is an example, too).

Before the era of sectarian nationalisms raised their head, a Macedonian who lifted up in the society would probably become a Serbian/Bulgarian etc getting the naturally superior identity of a bigger ethnic group which has cultural influence over his tribe.

[Dušan]

They are very different with Bulgarians by mentality and traditions. But, original Macedonian culture of the region is more plebeian, Bulgarian higher culture dominated there, all the saints, Fathers of Church, englighteners were Bulgarian. Communists as usual damaged the superior culture in favor of plebeian/inferior (Ukraine is an example, too).

Before the era of sectarian nationalisms raised their head, a Macedonian who lifted up in the society would probably become a Serbian/Bulgarian etc getting the naturally superior identity of a bigger ethnic group which has cultural influence over his tribe.

Well, I dont see we are superior to them, neither would like to impose on them Serbian identity.
They are close and related to us, but they are not ethnic Serbs, and we respect each other as it is.

The more pressure you put, the opposite reaction you will get.

Serbia has quite relaxed and friendly relations toward N. Macedonia and results on survey show that.
Bulgaria tried all the way to impose on them Bulgarian identity and as EU member, blackmail N. Macedonia, and only get dislike for their behaviour.

[catgeorge]

The result of generations of brainwashing by communist Yugoslavs and then by their own brainwashed kind. They are confused Bulgarians in reality.
This map from an American historical atlas from 1911 proves it and there are countless maps and writings that say they are Bulgarian.

https://maps.lib.utexas.edu/maps/his...herd_1911.html

Bulgarians werent really Bulgarians either - Map of San Stefano and Treaty of Berlin are totally different.

Rumelia was inhabited by Greeks

[Victor]

Bulgarians werent really Bulgarians either - Map of San Stefano and Treaty of Berlin are totally different.

Rumelia was inhabited by Greeks

I think those Slavs were culturally influenced by neighboring nations in different measures, indeed some were under Greek/Bulgarian/Serbian superior influence historically.

[Straightman]

Bulgarians werent really Bulgarians either - Map of San Stefano and Treaty of Berlin are totally different.

Rumelia was inhabited by Greeks

Where exactly does it say Rumelia was inhabited by Greeks? Maybe you mean as a minority.

[Straightman]

North Macedonians are artificial nationality, just like Montenigrins who are Serbs and Moldovans who are really Romanians. If they ended up in Bulgaria, instead of Serbia after Balkan Wars or earlier, they would naturally identify as Bulgarian with no trouble and no one would even talk of them.

[Victor]

North Macedonians are artificial nationality, just like Montenigrins who are Serbs and Moldovans who are really Romanians. If they ended up in Bulgaria, instead of Serbia after Balkan Wars or earlier, they would naturally identify as Bulgarian with no trouble and no one would even talk of them.

It's not that simple. Just like Moldovans had their own statehood for centuries but as Russian I see politically them better becoming full Romanians with us having ethnic border by Dnestr/Nistru river. It's indeed better for such failed states to disappear in bigger ones. I see no good "sovereign future" for independent Macedonia or Moldova, just like Montenegro, their future is 100 better as part of bigger national projects. Idea fix of ethno state for every tribe is failed and degenerate.