The Durres Government and its Foreign Policy in Defense of the National Cause

This paper examines the efforts of Albanian patriots to establish a national government following the Congress of Durrës, with the primary goal of defending the Albanian national cause. The government formed at Durrës was tasked with safeguarding the territorial integrity of Albania, both within its current borders and through the reclamation of lands lost after 1913. Drawing on historical documents and testimonies from key Albanian and foreign figures involved in these events, the paper provides a comprehensive account of the political struggle to secure Albania’s sovereignty. The analysis includes an exploration of the government’s program, which aimed to preserve independence, address border issues, and ensure Albania’s representation at the Peace Conference. Ultimately, this paper argues that the actions of the Durrës government were pivotal in shaping the national discourse on Albanian territorial integrity and sovereignty, especially during the critical negotiations of the Peace Conference. Received: 2 August 2024 / Accepted: 10 November 2024 / Published: 3 December 2024