15 Friends of Scotland

PanARMENIAN.Net - Separatist moods are also growing in Italy, Spain, Romania, Balkans and even Finland. PanARMENIAN.Net will list below the Top 15 of European states and regions where the population won independence against the will of the center or struggles to be recognized as independent.

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is another potential candidate for secession from the United Kingdom. The region didn’t join Ireland in leaving the UK because of the prevalence of Protestants over the Catholics. This however, wasn’t to everyone’s liking: a 30-year ethic and religious conflict followed, leaving over 3,000 dead. At present, Irish Republican Army (IRA) military organization halted activity, with the struggle taken to the field of politics. London refuses to discuss the possibility of independence for Northern Ireland; however, the number of supporters is soaring, along with growing number of Catholics in the region.

Catalonia

The (yet) Spanish region scheduled the independence referendum for November 9, 2014. Madrid wasn’t as even tempered on the issue as London was, stating that the independence vote won’t be given legal force. Catalans have been struggling for independence for almost 300 years – since annexation to Spain after a defeat at the Siege of Barcelona in 1714. The many million pro-independence movement is very popular in Catalonia with a population of 7,5 million and a territory of 32,000 square meters.

Basque Country

Basque Country is another region in Spain with predominantly separatist moods. With a population of 2,2 million and a territory of 7,200 square kilometers, the region became a part of Spain in early 16th century, gaining autonomy in 1936. An armed struggle for independence, initiated by Euskadi Ta Askatasuna (ETA) nationalist and separatist organization in the second half of the 20th century cost hundreds of lives. At present, however, the issue is being resolved politically, the nationalists, who won the 2012 elections, scheduled an independence referendum for 2015.

Corsica

An island with a population of 320,000, Corsica has belonged to France for almost 250 years, with the islanders vying for independence or greater autonomy the whole time. The National Liberation Front of Corsica, a far right militant group has been operating since 1970s. Typical militant acts by the FLNC are bombings, aggravated assault, armed bank robbery and extortion and are mostly aimed at public buildings, banks, tourist infrastructure, military buildings and other symbols of French control.

Belgium

One of the most flourishing European countries can break into Flanders and Wallonia over the language- and economy-related conflicts between the regions. The discord leads to frequent governmental and political crises, with Flemish nationalists who won the 2010 and 2014 parliament elections as avid supporters of secession.

Kurdistan

Kurds are the largest nation on earth without its own country. Kurds have been waging an armed struggle for independence for about a century. Their goal is to declare an independent Kurdistan on the territory of present-day Turkey, Iraq, Syria and Iran. At present, Iraqi Kurdistan is de-facto independent, Kurds control signifiant territories in Syria. A war in Turkey is halted, economy being one of the reasons: Kurdish oil is supplied to internatonal markets through Turkish ports.

Novorossiya

The Russian and pro-Ukrainian regions of Ukraine have always been at conflict, with the 2014 Maidan, ouster of President Yanukovych and Russia’s annexation of Crimea further flaring the tensions. Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics were declared. A war with Kyiv ensued, with Russia extending serious financial support to the self-declared republics. Kyiv failed to regain control over the region, with a ceasefire currently maintained in the conflict zone.

Crimea

The predominantly Russian-populated region became a part of the Ukrainian SSR in the 1950s. After the 2014 Maidan events, Russia deployed its forces on the peninsula. A referendum followed, with the majority of population voting to become part of Russia. Ukraine refused to recognize the result of the referendum, announcing Crimea an occupied territory.

Kosovo

Albanian separatists have been waging an armed struggle against Yugoslavia since early 1990s. In 1999, after Yugoslavia was bombed by NATO forces, Belgrade lost control of the region. In 2008, Kosovo authorities declared independence, recognized by over 100 countries, including almost all of Europe.

Northern Cyprus

A conflict between the island’s Turkish and Greek communities broke out immediately after it was granted independence from the Great Britain. Several times Turkey and Greece found themselves on the brink of war. In 1974, after a Greek junta-supported coup, Turkey deployed its troops in the island. Greek population left the north if the island where the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was declared, to be recognized by Ankara alone.

Abkhazia

Abkhazia’s conflict with Tbilisi erupted during the collapse of the Soviet Union, with Georgia loosing control over the republic after a murderous war. Abkhazia’s independence was recognized by Russia and other countries after the Russian-Georgian war of August 2008.

South Ossetia

Like Abkhazia, the region seceded from Georgia after the breakup of the Soviet Union. After the 2008 war with Georgia, Russia and some other countries recognized the Republic of South Ossetia. Pro-Russian moods are dominant in the region; after the Crimea’s annexation to Russia in 2014, South Ossetia called for a referendum to join Russia.

Transnistria

After the collapse of the Soviet Union a conflict erupted between the pro-Russian Tiraspol and Kishinev, which ended with the deployment of Russian peacemakers in the region. The self-declared republic is not recognized by any state.

Gagauzia

At one point, in early 1990s, the Moldavian region already declared independence; later, however, the central authorities and Gagauz leadership agreed for Gagauzia to remain a part of the country. Still, Gagauz people promise to declare independence, should Moldovans decide to join Romania.

Nagorno Karabakh

In 1923, without consideration for the opinions of the Nagorno Karabakh population, the Nagorno Karabakh Autonomous Oblast was formed as a part of Azerbaijani SSR. The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan broke out as result of the ethnic cleansing launched by the Azeri authorities in the final years of the Soviet Union. The Karabakh War was fought from 1991 (when the Nagorno Karabakh Republic was proclaimed) to 1994 (when a ceasefire was sealed by Armenia, NKR and Azerbaijan). Most of Nagorno Karabakh and a security zone consisting of 7 regions are now under control of NKR defense army. Armenia and Azerbaijan are holding peace talks mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group up till now.