The peace treaty of Bucharest 10 August 1913

It is good to have this important historical document handy, considering that we are still suffering the consequences from it, as a nation that "didn't made it" to become a party in it, despite the will of the Macedonians for their own independent country - a dream that finally came through after the World War II.

The Peace Treaty of Bucharest was the outcome of the conference convened after the conclusion of the Second Balkan War, on the initiative of King Carol of Roumania. Bulgaria lost the greater part of Macedonia, whose territory was divided between Greece and Serbia. During the conference, the Bulgarian delegates at times adopted an attitude that was seen as provocative by the other participants, given that Bulgaria had been the aggressor and was, moreover, the defeated side. There were also times, however, when they were strikingly conciliatory. This was because Bulgaria hoped that the Great Powers would revise the treaty, a hope encouraged by both Austria and Russia. France and Germany were opposed to such a revision, while Italy and Britain were prepared to accept it only if it was unanimously agreed upon. The European Powers were wary of the possibility of further unrest in the Balkans.

The delegations were headed at the conference by their respective Prime Ministers; Greece was represented by Eleftherios Venizelos, Serbia by N. Pashic, Romania by T. Maioresco and Montenegro by S.Voukotic, whilst defeated Bulgaria was represented by the Finance Minister D. Tontchev.

Through the Treaty of Bucharest, the territory of Greece doubled in size and its population increased by some two million, reaching 4,718,221 inhabitants. Although this expansion could have been considerably greater, it was significant as it included sources of wealth, providing the conditions for industrialisation and economic development. It also improved Greece’s international standing. With its special position in the network of Balkan relations and in the balance of political and military power in Europe, the modern Greek state acquired an unprecedented role.