Shqipëria dhe Greqia në rrjedhën e Luftës së Parë Ballkanike (tetor-nëntor 1912)
Albania and Greece in the course of the WWI (October-November 1912)

Summary/Abstract: Greece in difference with Serbia it was not very clear in its stand about the future of the Albanian territories. In order to have good and stable relations with Serbia and a borderline with Bulgaria that would justify its own claims it was now ready to sacrifice the existence of Albania. In the beginning of November 1912 the Greek government agreed to divide the Albanian territories between Greece and Serbia and to support the Serbian claims for an exit to the sea from Lezha to Durrës. In the general context of war operations, the Albanian territories were considered by Greece as ottoman territories. In this way started the military operations of Greece for the invasion of the Albanian territories. The outbreak and the future of the war created concerns and made consciousness the Albanians who had started the preparations to react. Ismail Qemali rightly was thinking that the war would bring the enlargement of the Slav front. In order to balance the strengthening of the Slav front he considered Rumania, Albania and Greece as members of second front in the Balkans. After he obtained the support of Rumania and of the Triple Alliance for the independence of Albania, he made a meeting with the Greek ambassador in Vienna. Regardless of the reciprocal sympathy that Greece and Ismail Qemali continuously had for each other, the Greek government was not inclined to support the independence of Albania. By not being able to prevent the declaration of independence, the Greek government tried to delay it, at least until when the London Conference was going to be held. With all the delays that were encountered in Durrës, the Albanians declared the independence of Albania in 28 November 1912 in Vlora. In the same day, yet with the attributes of the head of the first Albanian government, Ismail Qemali informed about the Albanian developments the Great Powers as well as the governments of the Balkan allies. In this manner, he attempted to start a new epoch of relations between Albania and it neighbors, hoping for collaboration and reciprocal trust.

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