One hundred years ago, on this day, a peace treaty was signed in the Paris suburb of Sevres between the Ottoman Empire, on the one hand, and the thirteen allied nations, on the other hand, that had warred against the Ottoman Empire during World War I and defeated it with joint forces. Avetik Chalabyan, co-founder of the National Agenda party of Armenia, wrote this on his Facebook page.
“Articles 88-93 of this treaty not only recognized the independent Armenian state, but also a large part (about three times the area of present-day Armenia) of the Armenian-populated regions of the empire was to be handed over to Armenia to create a united Armenian state and gather Armenians in those territories.
Unfortunately, the events that followed the peace Treaty of Sevres not only nullified this historic achievement, but ultimately led to the loss of Armenia’s independence and of a significant part of the territories already controlled by the republic even before the signing of the treaty.
Nevertheless, the Treaty of Sevres and the rights of the Armenians enshrined in it continue to be an important benchmark from the viewpoint of our [Armenians’] national goals and have not lost their relevance.
These rights have not been restored yet, and although the treaty has not been implemented, it gives us moral strength and the realization that in the event of a change in geopolitical realities, we can return to the negotiating table again and demand our just attainment,” Chalabyan added, in particular.