site.btaVice President Iotova Attends Meeting on Bulgarian Communities Abroad

During a round table in Kyustendil on the topic of: "Bulgarians in the Balkans beyond their borders after 1878. A survival code", Vice President Iliana Iotova told BTA that for the presidential institution, there is no difference between Bulgarians who live on the territory of Bulgaria and the Bulgarian communities abroad. The event was held under the auspices of the Vice President.

Iotova said that Bulgaria, as a member of the European Union, is strong enough to protect every single Bulgarian community abroad, especially in its historical diasporas, part of which, unfortunately even in the 21st century are subjected to attempts at assimilation. 

The project explores the Bulgarian communities in the Balkans from the past to the present, highlighting contemporary problems and perspectives. Representatives of the Bulgarian community from the Balkan countries participated in the event, which was organized within the framework of a project of the Scientific Research Fund under the Ministry of Education and Science. The head of the project is Prof. Boryana Buzhashka from the University of Library Science and Information Technology (UniBIT), with the participation of professors from the higher educational institution and researchers from the Institute of Historical Studies at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.

Iotova said that the goal of the meeting is to hear the representatives of all Balkan communities, to see what the Bulgarian state can help with and to hear their real problems. "The problems we have concerning the Bulgarian community, especially in Serbia, are very old," added the Vice President, noting that Bulgaria may not be doing enough to help the matter. 

"The problem of who and how is responsible for the rights and interests of our communities is an old one, and unfortunately in our country this issue is scattered in several institutions, despite their attempts to coordinate," the Vice President said. "Special attention is naturally focused on the executive branch, and my personal opinion is that there is still a lot to be desired in this area," Iotova said.