Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in connection with the results of the population census in the Republic of North Macedonia announced on March 30, conducted in 2021
31 March 2022 News
The Republic of Bulgaria has repeatedly stated that the creation of conditions for free self-identification of citizens with Bulgarian self-consciousness in the Republic of North Macedonia and guaranteeing their rights is of paramount importance.
In this regard, we accept with great surprise the published data on the number of citizens who self-identified as Bulgarians in the census in the country. We note the drastic discrepancy between these data and the data on the number of over 100,000 citizens of North Macedonia who have personally submitted documents proving Bulgarian origin and self-awareness for obtaining Bulgarian citizenship.
The object of serious analysis is the fact that 7.2% of the citizens of our neighbouring country have not been actively counted. According to the information provided, the data on them were collected through the relevant information base, without it being possible to determine the ethnic or religious affiliation. There is no information on the number of citizens of North Macedonia with Bulgarian identity who counted abroad.
We take into account the doubts expressed about the transparency and credibility of the process, expressed by organizations of Bulgarians in North Macedonia both during the census and when announcing the results. We expect their voice to be heard by the authorities in North Macedonia as well.