Perception level about Turkey among minority and non-minority citizen in Bulgaria

Bulgaria is among lands where the Turks in live intensely in the Balkans. The Turks existed in the Balkans for five centuries, however, The Turks became the minority after Bulgaria gained its indepence. From past to present, Bulgaria and Turkey interact with each other in several political, social and military fields. As a result of these interactions, minorities in the country are directly affected. The implemented interactions and the implementations carried out depending on the interaction cause formation of various perceptions about Turkey. It is observed that the minorities and non- minorities living in Bulgaria interact with each other together in etnic and cultural terms and have certain perceptions about Turkey. It is important for Turkey to be aware of perceptions that pose a risk in terms of the policies it plans to realize in the Balkans, which have a rich diversity in terms of ethnicity, and to manage these perceptions in its own favor. The aim of this study is to evaluate the perception of Turkey of minority and non-minority citizens living in Bulgaria. In this context, providing information on the geography of Bulgaria, the perception, the formation of perception and the concept of identity, the historical background of the relations betweeen Turkey and Bulgariawas examined. In the research conducted using survey method, detailed findings were obtained on the perception of Turkey of the minority and non-minority citizens living in Bulgaria. Keywords: Minority, Turkey, Bulgaria, Perception.