The Greek-Albanian Relations During the Interwar Period (1918-1939)

This article examines Greek-Albanian relations during the Interwar Period (1918–1939), a time marked by diplomatic tensions, minority disputes, and foreign intervention. The primary sources of friction were territorial disagreements and the rights of ethnic minorities, specifically the Greek minority in Northern Epirus and the Muslim Cham population in Greece. While Greece prioritized the protection of its ethnic kin, Albania viewed these efforts with suspicion, responding with policies that curtailed minority rights, particularly in education. The evolving domestic politics in both nations, such as Zog’s rise to power in Albania and Greece’s post-Asia Minor diplomatic retrenchment, further shaped bilateral interactions. Italian ambitions under Mussolini played a crucial role in exacerbating tensions, culminating in Albania’s transformation into an Italian protectorate by 1939. Despite occasional periods of rapprochement, notably under leaders like Venizelos and Pangalos, sustained cooperation remained elusive. This study underscores the intersection of nationalism, minority rights, and great-power rivalry in shaping regional dynamics, illustrating how unresolved historical grievances and foreign pressures hindered lasting Greek-Albanian rapprochement during the Interwar era.