Greqia midis Qeverisë së Vlorës dhe Pleqësisë së Shqipërisë së Mesme
Greece between the Government of Vlora and the Council of Elders of Central

Summary/Abstract: For Greece the implementation of Megali Idea was a primary issue of its foreign policy. Based on such concept it constructed its relations with the Albanian government after the declaration of the independence of Albania. Immediately after the objection of Ismail Qemali, the head of the government of Vlora, made to the Greek claims in London 1913, the Greek government aimed to the overthrow its government with the final aim to turn Albania into an inexistent state. As a first phase was the seduction of the nobility of Albania, opponents of Ismail Qemali, unhappy with the government of Vlora and their declaration against the government that he represented. Later the public support in favour of the annexation aims of Greece. The collaboration was successful with Esat Toptani the political opponent of Ismail Qemali whom was aiming to become ruler of Albania. In order to obtain the support of the neighbouring countries he was willing to sacrifice lands in the North and South of Albania. The contacts between this member of Toptani family and Greece were held prior and during the period of the Council of the Elders of Central Albania. They were made possible with the mediation of the Archbishop of Durrës, Jakov and doctor Voilla, a Vlach from Tirana, described as a functionary of the Greek government attached to Esat Toptani. Greece was asked for diplomatic support once the Pasha (general) would have been declared ruler of Albania as well as financial and military aid to overthrow the Vlora government. Looking for good relations in order to achieve later on the desired rectification of the borders in September 1913 Greece accepted to give diplomatic and financial support. On the other hand did not accept to help in overthrowing of the government of Vlora with which pretended to discus about the creation of an Albanian-Greek dualist state. The frequent contacts between Esat Toptani and the Greek government should have been finalised with an agreement in December 1913. The evidences for its existence are yielded from indirect sources, mainly of French origin. The first part of the agreement concerned the Albanian-Greek collaboration to overthrow the government of Vlora. Conditioned by the decisions of the Conference the Greek government insisted on having included the less possible Greeks in the Albanian state and to secure rights for the pretended Greek population which by now was clear that was going to be part of the Albanian state. This policy finds application on the second part of the agreement. In it the parties would collaborate for the retreat of the Greek army from the territories of south and to give over this areas to the Council of the Elders of Central Albania as well as to recognise “to the orthodox population of the Albanian Epirus some special privileges”, what implies in other words the autonomy. Through this agreement, the collaboration between the parties was considered as fruitful.

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