Scientists from the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) presented facts refuting speculations in Serbia that challenge the national identity of Bulgarians in the Western Outlands. In mid-January, our compatriots there sent a letter to Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, a number of institutions in Belgrade, and the embassies of EU member states, condemning the increasing attempts to promote the so-called "Shopi nation" and "Shopi language" in areas with a traditionally Bulgarian population in eastern Serbia. In Bulgaria, these lands, cut off from the country by the Treaty of Neuilly, are referred to as the Western Outlands.

After the scholars presented convincing linguistic facts debunking the speculations, Professor Anna Kocheva from the Institute for Bulgarian Language at BAS explained that the Serbian campaign against Bulgarians in the Western Outlands is not linguistic. "It may be related to the fact that Serbia is currently overwhelmed by protests and is looking for an external enemy'', said Professor Kocheva.