THE TREATY ON THE UNION OF BESSARABIA WITH ROMANIA (Paris, October 28, 1920)

by Prof. univ. dr. h. c. Ion M. Anghel, Ambassador (p)

Paper submitted at the Scientifical Conference "100th Anniversary of the Soviet-Romanian Conference in Warsaw (1921)", organized by the Institute of History in Chisinau (November 23, 2021)

Abstract

Presenting his study, the author underlined and illustrated the decisive role played – together with the other treaties signed during The Peace Conference, when was also signed The Treaty for the union of Bessarabia with Romania (28 March 1920), as being the most significant fulfilment of the secular dream of Romanians – The Greater Romania. It was for the first time, when Romania participated and signed for regulating its Eastern border. But, unfortunately, The Treaty was not ratified in keeping with the applicable rules of the International Law and consequently, this did not come into force and did not be applicable. Nevertheless, The Treaty was approved by The Conference and was expressly or tacitly accepted by the States – entire international community.
After that, comparing the former status of Bessarabia – as a part of Romania and the present one – Republic of Moldova, he expressed his disappointment that Romanian nation is still divided. But, terrible and antinational is the fact that instead of regain, Romania capitulated by excessive concessions made in favor of Ukraine, giving legitimacy to the criminal occupant. So, the cruel destiny of the Romanian communities that are leaving in Ukraine is already decided forever.

I. Is there such a solid reason - irrefutable in legitimacy and fairness, so that the union of Bessarabia with Romania cannot be blocked?

- The signing of the Treaty - an act of overwhelming importance, a favorable and decisive chance for us to reach the long-awaited achievement of the Great Union - is and remains unique, inscribed in our history as a crossroads event - legitimate, triumphant and worthy, which the Romanian nation fully deserved - unprecedented, but also one that has remained unrepeatable, unfortunately, even for the future. It was the first time, that at the Peace Conference - of such magnitude and impact in history, we were recognized, worldwide and in the form of a binding document, the legitimacy of the aspirations we Romanians had, for Bessarabia to be within the same nations and to be part of this state structure - the respective document bearing the signature of Romania, along with those of the Great Powers of the time. History then ruled in favor of the Romanians, and as Petre P. Carp stated, "Romania is so lucky that it no longer needs politicians to deal with the country`s fate."

It remains unforgettable and unacceptable that, in the entire history of Romania, the country remarkably imposed, namely - its eastern border, to have been the most haunted, it being subjected to 12 Russian invasions1, as were the barbarian or to the Tartar hordes, when its borders were imposed, as a deadly execution, dictated with a cruelty that remained their own. In fact, Mihai Eminescu called Russia "a consuming power" and that "the Russian Empire is not a state … it is a whole world." But that is why the signing in Paris, on the 28th of October 1920, of the Treaty of Union of Bessarabia with Romania, was the miraculous millennial and unexpected event, which put an end to an era, with its ominous suite of tragic situations, unfortunately fallen upon the Romanians in Bessarabia - a time when Romania ceased to be an object to be divided and finally had the quality of party to the treaty by which it established its eastern border.

Full article:THE TREATY ON THE UNION OF BESSARABIA WITH ROMANIA (Paris, October 28, 1920)