THE RELATIONS BETWEEN YUGOSLAVIA AND BULGARIA DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR (1939-1945): GENERAL REVIEWS AND ANALYSES

With reference to the unpublished archival materials, the published sources and relevant literature, the article gives a general outline of the relations between two neighboring Balkan states during the Second World War. The first part of the text gives a general overview of how Yugoslavia and Bulgaria found themselves on opposite sides. Then, in the second part, attention is dedicated to the Bulgarian military and civilian apparatus in the annexed and occupied area and to the war crimes against the civilians. In the specific circumstances of the Second World War in the Balkans, the influence of the great powers was decisive, so third segment of the work analyzes their very complex relations towards institutions, groups and individuals from Yugoslavia and Bulgaria. The last part of the article shows the rapprochement of the two countries and the establishment of the diplomatic relations on the end of the Second World War.