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Note by Aurel Plasari: It is not 'Open Balkan', but a quarter of a Balkan

Note by Aurel Plasari: It is not 'Open Balkan', but a quarter of a

Aurel Plasari

Note on FB for a political fantasy

Historically and geographically, the region, which in Turkish is called "Balkans" (Southeast Europe), includes Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, Kosovo, Croatia, Montenegro, Northern Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia, and Albania; Standard texts also include Romania, which technically rejects the term "Balkans" but acknowledges belonging to "Southeast Europe".

The total area of ​​the Balkans is given as standard as 666,700 km2, while the population is 59,297,000 (statistics after 2000).

Let us calculate a little what the "Open Balkans" represents as a political fantasy of the three prime ministers, that of Northern Macedonia, that of Serbia, and that of Albania, in the face of the historical and geographical realities of the Balkans.

The total area of ​​Northern Macedonia (25,713 km2), Serbia (88,361 km2), and Albania (28,748 km2) is not more than 142,822 km2. What is the entity of the three prime ministers versus the real Balkans of 666,700 km2, to claim that they call it "Open Balkans"? In fact, it is the only ¼ not to say 1/5 of the real Balkans. Is the opening of the Balkans this or the opposite, the closing in a lair of three countries separated from the rest of the region?

The combined population of Northern Macedonia (2,059,000 inhabitants), Serbia (7,001,444 inhabitants) and Albania (2,845,955 inhabitants) is 11,907,399 inhabitants. Even in this view, what is the entity of the three prime ministers versus the real Balkans with 59,297,000 inhabitants to claim that they call it "Open Balkans"? In fact, it represents only 1/5 of the real Balkans. The opening of the Balkans is this or again the opposite, ie. confinement in a three-seater nest detached from the rest of the region?

Since the three prime ministers seem reluctant to change the nickname of their political fantasy from time to time, there is no reason not to openly accept it and call it the "Quarter of the Balkans". As much as nothing, even a quarter is eaten.

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