by Klodi Duma

Summary of Albania’s Territorial Claims and Diplomatic Struggle (1878–1921)

The document describes Albania’s struggle to preserve its independence, protect its territorial integrity and secure the return of Albanian-populated territories following the partitions of 1878 and 1913. The Congress of Berlin and the London Conference resulted in significant Albanian territories being transferred to neighbouring states, leaving Kosovo, Chameria and other Albanian regions outside the borders of the Albanian state.

Through uprisings against Ottoman rule in 1910, 1911 and 1912, Albanians fought for autonomy and independence, while the Albanian delegation later argued internationally that national identity was based on shared language, culture and heritage rather than religious affiliation. Following the First World War, Albania demanded the restoration of territories inhabited by Albanians, invoking the principle of national self-determination.

It also opposed the proposed partition plan of 1920 involving Britain and France, while seeking international support through the League of Nations. Albania ultimately succeeded in preserving its independence, avoiding further partition, securing the withdrawal of Italian troops from Vlora and gaining membership in the League of Nations and international recognition.

However, its territorial demands remained largely unfulfilled: Kosovo remained outside Albania, Chameria remained under Greek rule, and other Albanian-populated territories continued to lie beyond its borders. The central message of the document is that lasting peace in the Balkans could only be achieved through respect for national rights, territorial integrity and the principle of self-determination.

July 11, 1921 – Request Addressed to the House of Commons

British MP Aubrey Herbert questions the Prime Minister, David Lloyd George, regarding two major events:

• The Partition Plan of 1920: The initial agreement between Britain and France to divide Albania among its neighbouring countries, which was abandoned after US President Woodrow Wilson protested.
• Albania’s appeal to the League of Nations to secure and obtain recognition of its borders.

Reference: Report dated February 24, 1919, page 8, document 4 BC–38.

Analysis and Summary

APPENDIX: ALBANIAN CLAIMS

Statement by Turhan Pasha Përmeti

The Albanians place their hopes in the justice of this High Assembly. They believe that the principle of nationality, proclaimed by President Wilson and his associates, will be applied and that their rights will be respected. Lasting peace can only be built upon law and justice.

The Congress of Berlin and the Violation of Albanian Rights

The Congress of Berlin (1878) was the first major act to deny the territorial rights of the Albanian nation. Albania, without powerful protectors and occupying a strategic position, was constantly the object of its neighbours’ territorial ambitions.

The Treaty of Berlin transferred Bar, Hoti, Gruda, Triepshi, Krajë, Podgorica, Plavë and Guci to Montenegro, while Greece received part of Epirus, between Preveza and the Kalamas River.

These decisions prompted the creation of the Albanian League of Prizren, which took up arms to oppose the surrender of Plavë, Guci, Hoti and Gruda.

To compensate Montenegro, the Great Powers granted it Ulcinj through the Naval Demonstration of Ulcinj. In the south, Albanian resistance in Preveza prevented the implementation of the decision to transfer the territories to Greece; the border was ultimately established at the Arta River.

The Treaty of Berlin was described as the “Treaty of Albania’s Burial”, although the partition of 1913 would prove even more severe.

The Partition of Albania by the London Conference, 1913

The London Conference confirmed the Kalamas River line and awarded Greece the territory stretching from Arta to Cape Stillo, including Chameria.

According to the Albanian delegation, before the Balkan Wars, Chameria had a population of 63,000:

• 40,000 Muslim Albanians;
• 14,000 Christian Albanians;
• 9,000 Greeks or Greek-speaking inhabitants.

In the north, Albanian territories were transferred to Montenegro and Serbia, including Krajë, Anamal, Hoti, Gruda, Plavë, Guci, Peja, Pristina, Gjilan, Ferizaj, Kaçanik, parts of Skopje, Prizren, Tetovo, Gostivar, Kërçova, Dibra, Struga and Ohrid.

According to the statement, Albanians constituted approximately 80% of the population in these territories of the former Vilayets of Kosovo and Monastir. For this reason, their return was demanded, as these territories had been detached from Albania in 1878 and 1913.

Kosovo and the Albanian Character of Its Population

The delegation maintained that Kosovo, also known as Old Serbia, had been inhabited by Albanians since ancient times.

According to the statement, the Serbs appeared in the region in the 7th century but failed to establish lasting rule because of Albanian uprisings and Bulgarian rivalry.

Despite periods of rule and persecution, the majority of the population had remained Albanian. According to the figures presented, the Serbian population accounted for only approximately 15%.

Albanian Uprisings and Efforts to Achieve Autonomy

In 1910, 1911 and 1912, Albanians rose against Ottoman rule to secure independence and autonomy.

In 1912, approximately 18,000 Albanians from Kosovo captured Skopje after clashes with the Ottoman army, forcing the government to accept several concessions.

Preparations were underway to establish an autonomous administration that would include the Vilayets of Kosovo, Shkodër and Janina, as well as part of the Vilayet of Monastir.

The Balkan states, concerned about the possibility of an autonomous Albanian state being established in these territories, declared war against the Ottoman Empire. Consequently, the Albanians were unable to benefit from the concessions they had secured.

The Demand for the Return of Albanian Territories

In 1913, Albania was sacrificed in favour of its neighbours in order to prevent a wider European conflict.

Following the end of the First World War, the delegation demanded that territories with Albanian populations be returned to their homeland, in accordance with the principle of self-determination.

It acknowledged the existence of foreign minorities within Albania but emphasised that many Albanians had remained outside its borders.

The Albanian demand for the reunification of their compatriots was presented as a national right, in contrast to the territorial claims of neighbouring countries.

Opposition to Greek Claims over Northern Epirus

Greece claimed that Northern Epirus had 120,000 Greeks and 80,000 Albanians. The Albanian delegation disputed these figures and maintained that the pro-Greek population did not exceed 20,000 inhabitants, mainly in Dropull and the Vurg plain of Delvina.

It also rejected the claim that Orthodox Albanians should be considered Greeks solely because of their religion.

According to the statement, the Greek clergy used religion to obstruct Albanian national education. Orthodox parents who sent their children to the Albanian-language school in Korçë were excommunicated and reported to the Ottoman authorities. Many heads of families were imprisoned or exiled, and the school was closed.

The Ottoman authorities also pressured Muslim parents in an attempt to prevent education in the Albanian language.

Albanian Nationality Above Religious Differences

The delegation emphasised that religion did not determine nationality and that Albanians, regardless of their religious affiliation, shared the same language, customs and national consciousness.

It rejected the claim that Orthodox Albanians were Greeks and presented testimony from foreign figures:

Lord Hobhouse, who had accompanied Lord Byron to Albania, wrote at the beginning of the 19th century:

“Only the Albanians are conscious of their nationality; all the other peoples of the Empire are grouped according to religion.”

Monsieur Aubaret, the French delegate to the Commission of Eastern Rumelia, stated in his memorandum of August 13, 1880:

“The Albanians live in complete unity; above all, they are Albanians […] they value national consciousness, love of country and respect for ancient customs above every other consideration.”

Meanwhile, journalist Vaucher, writing in the magazine L’Illustration on April 7, 1917, wrote about Korçë:

“Albania for the Albanians is the motto of all the inhabitants of this rich plain of Korçë.”

He also praised interreligious harmony during the period of the Autonomous Republic of Korçë.

The Destruction of Albanian Villages

The delegation accused the Cretan bands of Zografos and disguised Greek soldiers, under the command of Greek officers, of burning Albanian villages.

Journalist Vaucher wrote:

“The entire region of Kolonjë has been devastated since the passage of the Greek bands in 1913. The names marked on the map are merely memories, because in reality the villages are represented only by shapeless ruins, marking the places where Muslim villages once stood.”

According to the delegation, Greek claims over Northern Epirus were intended to weaken the Albanian demand for Southern Epirus, particularly Chameria.

The Vlachs of Pindus and Their Demand for Union with Albania

The delegation also referred to the Vlachs of Pindus, who, despite having lived under Greek rule, sought union with Albania.

This was used as an argument that national identity could not be determined solely by religion or by the cultural influence of another state.

Albania’s Natural Southern Border

According to the delegation, Albania’s natural southern border was the mountain range of Grammos and Pindus.

This line was considered the most suitable for the defensive and economic needs of the Albanian state.

The Contribution of Albanians During the First World War

The delegation emphasised that Albanians had assisted the Allies by providing food to Serbian troops during their retreat through Albania.

This contribution was contrasted with the massacres and destruction that, according to the statement, those same troops had committed against Albanians in Kosovo during and after the Balkan Wars.

Albanians had also assisted Italian and French troops following their arrival in Albania, while refusing to form Albanian auxiliary forces in the south, despite promises made by Austria and a Balkan state.

Lasting Peace Only Through Respect for National Rights

The delegation argued that lasting peace in the Balkans could not exist without respect for national rights.

Confirmation of the partitions of 1878 and 1913 would prevent Albania’s development and cause continuous crises in its relations with Greece and Serbia.

According to the statement, these states could not assimilate an Albanian-majority population strongly attached to its independence and national traditions. The massacres and persecution in the annexed territories created the danger that Albanians would be left with only two choices: emigration or death.

In conclusion, the delegation quoted the Roman historian Tacitus:

“Ubi solitudinem faciunt, pacem appellant.”

“Where they create desolation, they call it peace.”

The final message was clear: peace in the Balkans could not be built upon the partition of Albania, the denial of national rights and the abandonment of Albanians outside the borders of the Albanian state.

Historical Balance: What Did Albania Gain and What Did It Lose?

Achievements in 1920

• Albania was admitted to the United Nations.
• Further partition was avoided.
• Independence was preserved.
• Italian troops withdrew from Vlora following Albanian resistance.
• Albania became a member of the League of Nations.
• International recognition of the Albanian state was secured.

Losses and Unfulfilled Demands

• Kosovo remained outside Albania.
• Chameria remained under Greek rule.
• Albanians in other territories remained outside the borders of the Albanian state.
• The demand to revise the borders established in 1878 and 1913 was not accepted.