Hunedoara Agreement: Difference between revisions

The '''Hunedoara Agreement''' (also known as the Magyar-Romanian Treaty, sometimes referred to as the Székely Agreement and the Transylvanian Compromise), signed on 2 August 1938, was a bilateral treaty between [[Magyaria|Magyarian]] and [[Romania|Romanian]] representatives that outlined both countries' post-war territorial organization, as well as establishing the foundation for their bilateral relations. A [[Russia|Russian]] delegation was also present, playing the role of mediator. The agreement was preceded by a series of talks that took place in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corvin_Castle Corvin Castle], after which [[Mátyás Novák]], [[MNF]] general and war hero, and [[Alexandru Dragoş]], Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, signed the historic agreement.

At the earliest stages of the [[Invasion of Austria]] the question of post-war reorganization was discussed between the various parties of [[the Eastern Front]]. Romania, set out by the nationalist government to unify the Romanian people, had initially claimed the historical regions of Bukovina, Transylvania and Banat from the [[Austria|Austrian Empire]], and as of May 1938 they occupied Bukovina and small parts of Transylvania. By that point, Magyar forces, consisting mostly of [[NLM]] revolutionaries at the time, were in [[full fledged revolt]], having risen up and taken over large swathes of Austrian-controlled territories with significant Magyar populations. This included Magyar population centres in Transylvania, especially in the region of Székelyföld (also known as Szeklerland).

The [[Magyar National Liberation Movement]] had maintained from its inception that the ultimate objective of the organization is to unite all Magyars into an independent state, which why following in the course of the [[Magyar Revolution]] multiple towns and villages with large [[Magyar]] and [[Székely-Magyar]] communities in Transylvania and Banat came under control of NLM (and later MNF) insurgents.

[[Teodorescu]]'s national republican government put emphasis on complete [[Romanian unification]] as necessitybeing necessary for the nations survival and success ever since the [[Moldavian Revolution]]. In 1938, this made the incorporation of Bukovina, Transylvania and Banat into Romania a priority for the country. In turn, the Magyar takeover of key settlements in the disputed area was a cause for concern and immediate action, to such a point that there were [[calls]] for attacking the Magyar rebels and pushing them out of the claimed Romanian territories, however most officials supported a diplomatic resolution.

The Russian National Republic saw the potential conflict between its two allies as a threat to national republicanism and, as a result, a major challenge for Russian foreign policy. Using its position both as the largest force fighting Austria as well as a major ally of both countries', Moscow pressured the two sides to hold comprehensive talks with intent to sign a bilateral treaty to further cooperation. At the negotiations Russia played the role of mediator, as well as representing its own interests and that of the planned [[Galicia|Jewish State in Galicia]].

The chosen location - Corvin Castle in Hunedoara (Vajdahunyad) - carries significant meaning for the cultural ties between Magyars and Romanians. The castle was built and owned by the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunyadi_family Hunyadi family], who were prominent Royal Hungarian and Wallachian nobles.

The negotiations in Corvin Castle were of vital importance for each party involved, which is why each delegation consisted of notable high-profile statesmen, diplomats and military officers. The Magyar delegation was led by General Mátyás Novák, who had overseen the [[Debrecen and Banszag revolts]] and won the [[Battle of Gyula]]. He was also a high ranking member of the NLM Romania was represented by Foreign Minister Alexandru Dragoş, a vocal supporter of peaceful solution to the Transylvanian Issue who sought to establish cordial ties and secure a sturdy web of National Republican alliances. The Russian Lieutenant General [[Bogdan Lisitsin]], military attaché to Romania, headed the Russian delegation. The three officials played a major role in facilitating, having all taken part in each session of discussion. They were also known to have friendly attitudes towards one another and to effectively resolve heated discussions. Novák, Dragoş and Lisitsin signed the Agreement at 16:4041 on 2nd August, 1938.

The agreement can be considered a resounding success. Not only did it resolve a major territorial dispute of two powerful National Republican nations, but it led to the establishment of consistently warm ties between Magyaria and Romania. It is also considered to have paved the way for the [[International Republican Coalition|IRCs]] framework in Europe.