THE VERSAILLES SYSTEM OF PEACE TREATIES AND THE MINORITY PROTECTION IN SOUTHEAST EUROPE - THE BULGARIAN-GREEK CONVENTION FOR THE EXCHANGE OF POPULATION OF 1919

Abstract

Among the profound changes that the Paris Peace Conference of
1919 brought to the international relations, the most notable are probably
the new states' borders it has determined. These borders remained largely
undisturbed throughout the subsequent decades. They become subject of
change only after the occurrence of the events caused by the collapse of
the Soviet bloc. The borders were determined in accordance with the
newly proclaimed principle of self-determination of nations. This
principle was complemented with the guarantees for the protection of
minority rights. Thus, the protection of minority rights was given an
important role and several mechanisms for its implementation were
established. It is interesting to inquire into the contrast among these
proclamations and the treatment of minorities in the region of Southeast
Europe. For that reason, this article centers around the Convention for
the exchange of population concluded between Greece and Bulgaria in
1919.