4. BULGARIAN NATIONAL INTERESTS

4. BULGARIAN NATIONAL INTERESTS

National interests are a function of the national ideal. They represent a dynamic category that can be modeled with time. National interests can be directed to solving: 1) external state problems, and 2) internal state problems.

Depending on the scope of activity, national interests may be: Political; economic; cultural; demographic; geopolitical.

The national interests, from past to present, determine relations between states in one region, or on a more global scale - in the world. They stand at the base of the contradictions emerging between states, some of which lead to war.

It is an important indicator of the difficulties and responsibilities that arise in the determination of national interests.

Under the UN Charter, which came into force on October 24, 1945, all members of the organization are equal and the same, whether they have large or small populations or territories. However, in practice major developed countries publish their national interests and protect them by all possible means, often far from their national borders.

Since Bulgaria’s liberation (1878) to the present, Bulgarian national interests were systematically dealt, but not in terms of their formulation or in terms of their achievement.

In the scientific elaboration and formulation of our national interests, it is necessary to take account of the history of the problem, its necessities at the moment and its effects on the nation to

get on with its achievements. It is necessary to pull out the moral lessons, not the successes and achievements, but mainly the accumulated negative experiences. The history of the Third Bulgarian state is rich with such inconvenient experiences. It includes those mistakes and sins that have violated the Bulgarian national cause. Many of these errors can now be attributed to political absurdities that, during certain historical moments, drove the Bulgarian state to national disaster.

Bulgaria’s national interests should reflect the most essential and long-term needs of the nation, placed at the base of the internal and external policies of the country.

The Bulgarian National Doctrine is necessary to mark only the strategic national interests. Its detailed development should be subject to the “national programs”.

In them there is need to present sufficient facts and allegations, which will be modeled and used by the government, depending on the needs and realities of the moment.

Strategic national interests can be structured as follows:

1. Inter-state plan.

1.1. Strengthening and establishing a one-nation Bulgarian state and turning the Bulgarian nation into a socio-cultural (political) nation; 1.2. Solving the demographic problem in Bulgaria; 1.3. Developing the human potential in Bulgaria; 1.4. Effective use and development of natural and economic resources of Bulgaria; 1.5. Ensuring the national sovereignty, independence and security of Bulgaria;

2. Foreign policy plan.

2.1. Bulgarian national interests resulting from Bulgaria’s geo-strategic position;

2.1.1. The Balkans; 2.1.2. In Europe; 2.1.3. In the world; 2.2. Acquisition of Bulgaria as an equal member in the European political, economic and military structures.

(Remaining are a few pages in which Bulgarian national interests, in the field of demography, education, human resources, safety, social, etc., are highlighted).

BULGARIAN NATIONAL DOCTRINE. Part Two

NATIONAL STRATEGIC PROGRAMS. Program № 1

PROTECTION AND SPIRITUAL UNIFICATION OF THE BULGARIANS IN THE WORLD

(Note: the same - editor, publisher, city of publication, year - 2008)

5.1. DETERMINING THE BULGARIAN ETHNIC TERRITORY AND ITS ETHNO-CULTURAL SPACE

5.1.1. The Bulgarian ethnic territory (land)

The Bulgarian nation as a unique ethnic, linguistic, economic, cultural and spiritual community was established in its territory (map №1) during the XVIII-XIX centuries included in which were:

- Misia, including all Dobrudzha and the Danube plain; - The Western Bulgarian territories: Timochko, Pomoravieto (Nish, Leskovats, Pirot, Vranje); the Western provinces (Bosilgrad, Tsaribrod, the regions west of Vidin, Kula and Trn, mentioned in international treaties); - Thrace; - Macedonia.

The boundaries of the Bulgarian ethnic territory were determined by:

√ The Sultan’s Imperial firman of 1870 for the creation of an independent Bulgarian Orthodox Church and an Exarchate, which determined its dioceses;

√ A plebiscite conducted in the dioceses in Macedonia - Skopje, Ohrid, Kukush and Solun Regions and, on its basis, their inclusion in the diocese of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church in 1872;

√ Decisions made by the Ecumenical Delegate Conference of the Great Powers and Turkey during the course of 1876;

√ The previous San Stefano Peace Treaty Agreement of 1878 signed by Russia and the Ottoman Empire, without the participation of Bulgarian representatives;

√ From the conclusions of European travelers, church activists, diplomats, scholars and military figures who visited these Bulgarian lands during the XIX century. They concluded that the ethnic boundaries of the Bulgarian nation were Moesia, Thrace and Macedonia.

According to a census taken by the Ottoman Empire, the Bulgarian nation on these territories, during the middle of the XIX century, stood at about four million souls. Before it was freed it had reached about five million souls.

5.1.2. Bulgarian ethno-cultural space

The Bulgarian ethno-cultural space covers the territories inhabited by Bulgarians. They created the language, religion, traditions, art and science that form the Bulgarian national value system. This system has contributed to the development of human civilization.

The territory of the Bulgaria ethno-cultural space can be split conditionally in two zones:

* “The old ethno-cultural space” - the territory inhabited by the Volga-Ural Bulgarians who created Great Bulgaria;

* “The new ethno-cultural space” - the territory which was mutually influenced by the Thracians, Slavs and Bulgarians (map №1). Today that territory lies within the framework of our ethnic territory and the territory of Bulgarian settlements in the world. Traces of our ethno-cultural area could be found from the Tatrite to the Aegean Sea and from Sava and the middle course of the Danube to the Dnieper and the Black Sea.