TENSIONET SHQIPTARO – SERBE NË KONFERENCËN E PARË BALLKANIKE DHE ÇËSHTJA E SHQIPTARËVE NË JUGOSLLAVI
ALBANIAN-SERBIAN TENSIONS IN THE FIRST BALKAN CONFERENCE AND THE ISSUE OF ALBANIANS IN YUGOSLAVIA

Summary/Abstract: As part of the efforts of the Briand-Kellogg Pact of 1928, a pacifist movement was initiated in the Balkan countries to organize annual conferences to discuss issues of common interest to the peoples of the Balkans. France was behind the organization of the Balkan Conferences with the aim of preventing further growth of Italian influence in the Balkans. The idea for the Balkan Conference was also welcomed by King Zog despite obstacles coming from Italy. Albania expressed its readiness to participate in such an organization that would serve to strengthen peace and security. The request of the Albanian Government was to solve the economic problems first and then the political ones. Albania's position on this initiative was related to the economic, social and political situation both internally and externally. It was the time when the Albanian - Italian relations began to deteriorate that continued until 1934. During the work of the committees, the situation became tense by the tendentious statement of Yugoslav representative Topalovic, hinting that Albania's independence was at stake, alluding to the Italian-Albanian treaty. To these statements reacted the Albanian representative Mr. Mehmet Konica who stated that the freedom of Albania was only threatened when the Albanians disappeared and the Italian-Albanian agreement was a result of threats from abroad. The Yugoslav intent was that as the largest state to have franchise over other Balkan states and to impose on them through the motto "The Balkans peoples of the Balkans". Even the Albanian delegation, in principle, was not against this motto, but, provided that all states were sovereign and with equal rights between them. In fact, this attitude was also accepted by the participants. At the Conference, the Albanian delegation in principle accepted the idea of a Balkan Pact and Confederation, but proposed that they be successful in discussing the solution of the issue of national minorities in Yugoslavia and Greece. This proposal was rejected by Yugoslavia, however the issue was discussed at the political committee but decided to be considered at future meetings. The King of the Albanians saw this Conference as an opportunity to demonstrate his independence in foreign policy and as a forum expressing dissatisfaction with the treatment of the Albanians in Yugoslavia. The conference concluded with a resolution that envisioned: the sovereignty and full equality of the peoples of the Balkans, respect for national integrity, the principle of mutual non-aggression, necessary mediation, and arbitration on various issues. It was agreed that all states would engage in customs relations between them.

• Details
• Contents