Macedonian Question

The Macedonian Question refers to the ongoing international dispute regarding the identity, borders, and ownership of Macedonia.

The Macedonian Question was first raised at the Berlin Congress of 1878. The Great Powers at the time were discussing revising the Treaty of San Stefano in the wake of the Russo-Turkish War. The Russian Empire, on behalf of fellow Slavic state Bulgaria, was attempting to expand the borders of Bulgaria into Macedonia (as well as into Serbia-Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Romania). The Congress reduced the proposed borders markedly, denying Bulgaria her aspirations to south Balkan hegemony (and Russia her aspirations to Balkan dominance).

The Macedonian Question became an issue again in the wake of World War I, as the Powers debated the Treaty of Versailles. At this time the land now consisting of the country named Macedonia became integrated into Yugoslavia (then the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes); Greece received the Macedonian coastline, and borders with Bulgaria were established.

The Macedonian Question again became an international issue with the breakup of Yugoslavia after the Cold War. The former province of Yugoslavia named Macedonia claimed sovereignty and applied to the United Nations for membership. Greece objected, as she considered herself the only heir to ancient Macedon. For this reason the nation calling itself the Republic of Macedonia is sometimes referred to as FYROM, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, to distinguish itself from Greek Macedonia.

Ongoing issues falling under the Macedonian Question involve Macedonia's name, her borders with Greece and Bulgaria, her international recognition, and the issue of militias from neighboring Kosovo who briefly took shelter in northwest Macedonia immediately after UN intervention there in 1999.