Where do we go?

Day 1,562, 08:49 • Published in Bulgaria Bulgaria • by Boyan

Today I’m going to discuss a few topics that I believe are relevant to the current situation. This article does not offer a solution but just analysis and possible outcomes of the Bulgarian foreign affairs.

First of all I want to congratulate EDEN for the greatest victory we have managed to achieve so far. Leaving Serbia, FYROM, Indonesia, Iran, Spain, United Kingdom, Mexico, Montenegro, Austria, Peru, Egypt, Pakistan, Paraguay, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Venezuela without Congress clearly shows that ONE is dead. Who would have thought that would be possible three months ago? I am certain if such optimism existed at all it would have been considered ludicrous. The results today are only possible thanks to the strong bonds between our brotherhood, the good synchronization with our TERRA comrades, and of course the new path of the Turkish foreign policy. I am not aware how this remarkable victory was met by the rest of the EDEN citizens but to me it had a bitter sweet flavour. While most of you still enjoy the sweet taste of victory and retribution, Bulgaria undergoes through a three months civil war that does not seem to end but intensifies every day.

EDEN - Who are we? What do we stand for?

1. Global domination and loss of balance

I have already listed all the countries that have been left without a congress. TEDEn does not simply dominate the eWorld. TEDEN owns the map! Powers like Indonesia, Serbia (Eastern Serbia) and FYROM lost their congresses without defending a single round. That is not just weird. That is simply boring. ONE killed the game the same way by totally wiping the whole world six months ago. When one knows victory is a miracle one quickly loses motivation to fight for it. That’s the main reason Bulgaria lost so many players last year. The boredom and fighting pointless battles predestined to be won let to the outflow of many ONE players too. My point here is that total domination kills the game. Don’t get me wrong, I hate ONE for selfishly dividing the world between the superpowers and for humiliating the enemy. Yet we are not that different if we let this happen again.

2. Arrogance

Here I want to point out the outrageous attitude towards nations like South Korea, Egypt, Japan, Mexico, Iran including even Spain and United Kingdom. Those are not PTOed countries but communities who have been experiencing total wipe out for months. South Korea, our former ally had а congress for the last time in October. Egypt, a new country that has been doing baby boom efforts and is not threat to anybody is not allowed a single region since Greece took over. Even FYROM had the decency to give back the regions they don’t need when they controlled the area. Spain had a spectacular baby boom and yet they seem powerless fighting on their own. TEDEN looks quite confident as the powerful of the day and shows the same aggressive and arrogant attitude like the countries we despite. This game is meant to be enjoyed by all of us and this is not the right way to do it.

3. Internal problems

‘Your allies are currently not involved in any military campaigns’ appeared yesterday for the first time in Bulgaria. Having in mind that the majority of the ONE countries do not have access to their finances due to the lack of congress representation we should not expect any serious challenges coming from them. Thus another boring month is on the way. However TEDEN would start facing challenges from the inside. ONE was an alliance that was supposed to involve only the superpowers and their satellites and thus spread its influence globally. Even though the alliance was not that big its members started fighting for resources: Iran –FYROM- Turkey-Cyprus; Slovenia – FYROM- Serbia, Hungary - Slovenia. TEDEN consist of numerous countries and now when the MPP attack means definite success the greediness will prevail and the chance for an arm conflict is much higher than it would have ever been during ONE’s domination. We already see that happening. The tension between Argentina and Chile was over the Kiwi’s grain. Another one is the Cypriot – Turkish – Chinese- Israeli drama for resources followed by the Taiwanese annexation of Japan and the current RWs in Turkey organised by the Bulgarians. The cracks would start to be more apparent with time and they might lead not only to the downfall of TEDEN but its restructuring altogether.

4. Treaty of EDEn

The treaty of EDEn is clearly outdated and it could be argued if Eden has a valid treaty at all. The current document is open for different interpretations and does not help resolving the Bulgarian – Turkish argument. Moreover Turkey has been granted indefinite trial membership which disregards the Bulgarian veto and outrages the Bulgarian community. At the same time the Treaty does stay silent in regards to trial members, the length of the trial, veto cases and the termination processes. Thus the HQ and the current CPs are able to manipulate the document however they like. As expected the Bulgarian initiative to draft and amend a new one has been viewed with open skepticism.

5. The agreement between Turkey – Ukraine – Argentina

The treaty is a definite slap for the Bulgarian foreign policy based on superior attitude towards its allies. In the last couple of months Bulgarian foreign policy was somehow prioritising losing its allies rather than strengthening those friendships. The beginning was marked by the freeze of the relations with Argentina that found normal bullying one of Bulgaria’s closest friends and a member of Terra – Chile. Next target was Cyprus. MPPs were not renewed due to CP’s troll article in Bulgaria a month before his election. The approach towards Turkey and the country’s government was never friendly and was not intended to be. As an EDEn member Bulgaria demanded Turkish regions rather than requesting them thus dooming any future negotiations to failure.

Yet the biggest fail in the Bulgarian foreign affairs is ruining the relationship with Ukraine, which has been a long lasting friend of Bulgaria, and a country that gave up one of its unique resources so that Bulgaria can protect it and grow economically at the same time. It was clear that Bulgaria will have to return those regions to Ukraine one day. Six months later Bulgaria was already taking them for granted and once Ukraine asked them back, Bulgarians found that extremely insulting. Some MUs went that far to openly fight against army orders and Ukraine. It was clear that for a marginal group in Bulgarian resources were more important than brotherhood. I want to stress here that those individuals, I hope, represent the minority.

Another failed move was the proposal of Polish - Bulgarian MPP that shocked both Russia and Ukraine. What we got: Bulgarian citizens openly insulting Ukrainians daring to ask their regions back and Bulgarian CP that proposes MPP with the Ukrainian enemy during an open war!? Two days later Bulgarians are shocked that somehow Ukrainians find our foreign policy conflicting and unreliable? The current agreement between Ukraine, Argentina аnd Turkey is a direct consequence of Bulgaria’s actions and attitudes towards Ukraine and if somebody has to take responsibility for Ukraine clearly stating its hostility towards Bulgaria is only the Bulgarian government! Did we ever apologise to Ukraine for our irresponsible actions? Of course, not! Our foreign policy finds it quite shameful to admit the mistakes done.

6. Loss of faith in EDEN

All the points discussed above are shaking seriously the foundations of Eden in Bulgaria. Majority of Bulgarians already doubt EDEN’s loyalty and brotherhood. People keep losing faith that EDEN protects Bulgaria’s interests and if the process remains it won’t be far when Bulgaria will vote to terminate its membership.

The Bulgarian foreign policy

1. Numerous failures

As I have stated already the Bulgarian foreign policy under Tablov has been quite contradicting, aggressive, and unreliable. In 20 days Tablov managed to negotiate a training war with FYROM, failed negotiating with Poland and Serbia, successfully negotiated with Iran, attacked Turkey’s regions, signed MPPs with member of ONE, returned Bukovina, ruined completely our relationship with Eden and thus failed miserably in acquiring any additional resources for Bulgaria. Unfortunately those are the facts as I am writing this article.

2. Pointless returning of Bukovina

The latest fail was returning Bukovina which again was an emotional and irrational act! What was Bulgaria’s interest in returning Bukovina??? None! Yes, Bulgaria is mad and won’t fight and protect Ukraine anymore! Bulgaria could have kept Bukovina which was from an extreme strategic importance without protecting Ukraine. Bukovina was a gate that soon or later would be needed. I am confident that the government is perfectly aware of that. Yet they undertook this anti-Bulgarian move to show EDEN that Bulgaria will focus southward or to intentionally push the next government to focus on Turkey as the only path for Bulgarian expansion. Well done! You almost succeeded the first time by negotiating the return of Taurida, Bessarabia, and Bukovina at the same time. The second try proved to be successful! I give you the credit here!

3. Change of Tablov’s attitude

Here comes the surprise. In Tablov’s latest article we witness 180% shift of Bulgarian attitudes. Tablov clearly admits he had wrong approach towards Turkey and offers the Turkish government 300 gold , MPP in return and a new referendum in a month time. That has been the offer we have been fighting for in the last two months. Tablov had finally agreed to cooperate but suddenly the Turkish government decides it is not interested. I hope Turkey understands that friendship cannot be bought and needs to be gained. If we want Bulgarian – Turkish MPP both countries need to make a compromise! By stating that Turkey is not interested to negotiate and intentionally blocking our economic development and Asian path we are not left with any other possibilities but a military confrontation. Here I completely stand behind my President. He made an effort, he had the balls to admit his mistake and tried to negotiate agreement that would suit both sides. This time it was the Turkish government who failed the negotiations which led to the yesterdays fight in Iran. Let’s be clear, Bulgaria will keep fighting in Turkey draining both countries’ damage until the position of the Turkish government changes or there’s a proposal acceptable for both parties.

4. Contradictive congress

Here I want to mention briefly the lack of actual opposition. There was bigger reaction of the Polish MPP in the media rather than the congress. Impeachment was not even considered. The latest offer of Tablov which is completely opposite to what the nationalists have been fighting for was somehow ignored completely by the congress and the media. Bulgaria offering 300 gold, MPP and a new referendum is considered a nightmare by many Bulgarian congressmen. Yet the critics surprisingly remained silent playing political games rather than following their party line or Bulgaria’s interest.

5. Lack of credibility

As I am not sure that Tablov has the credibility to continue representing Bulgaria after all the failures in the last month I would like to ask him to willingly resign. He had proved already he is unable to finish the negotiations so if he wants the best for Bulgaria he should give the chance to someone else who might lead them to a successful end. I believe it would also be appropriate if the Turkish administration gives a chance to its successors as well so that negotiations could begin again without any personal fights and prejudices.

6. Bulgarian neighbourhood

Currently Bulgaria shares border with 7 countries. Ironically 5 of them are in the TEDEN’s sphere of influence. If Turkey decides they are not interested in further negotiations they put Bulgaria in a cage with the only possibility of fighting FYROM and Serbia who lack the needed resources. eRepublik is not Farmville and such a move is likely to be undesirable.

At the same time leaving EDEN would mean sharing borders with 4 or 5 hostile neighbours which again puts at risk even the resources we currently possess.

Conclusion:

I want to be clear that any country should have the right to join EDEN. Bulgaria does not have the moral grounds to stop Turkey being an EDEN member if they prove to be loyal and friendly. At this moment neither Bulgaria nor Turkey are friendly towards each other. If the Bulgarian community decides it still wants to remain hostile to Turkey without EDEN’s support then Bulgaria should leave the alliance and let Turkey and EDEN follow the path they have chosen. However if EDEN decides to stand behind Bulgaria regardless the outcome of the negotiations Bulgaria will remain committed to its current allies.

From the very beginning Bulgaria had aggressive and superior policy when dealing with Turkey which is the main reason for the failed negotiations. If Bulgaria wants regions the administration should start respecting Turkey as an equal. Turkey is not obliged to give Bulgaria any regions. Bulgaria is interested to get them as much as Turkey should be interested to give them. Bulgaria does not consider Turkey as a brother at the moment and it should be Ankara that takes the initiative to change that. The Bulgarian CP has lost credibility to framework the future agreement and thus a new leadership would be required. Yet both Turkey and Bulgaria have to make concessions to overcome this crisis. If such agreement fails to be achieved through diplomatic terms Bulgaria’s n only solution would be a military intervention to break the cage we are currently in.

I will not support Bulgaria being a hostage to foreign interests, damage trade and fake brotherhood. If EDEN fails to support and stand behind its own members than Bulgaria has clearly no place in such pact and would be free to form its own alliance where equality and membership actually carry some meaning.

PS. Bulgaria will never join ONE!