The Cham Issue: International Factors and Albanian Efforts at the Peace Conferences

Abstract

The Cham issue emerged as a diplomatic problem after Albania’s independence and the First Balkan War. In particular, the Cham issue was discussed at the 1913 London Conference, where it was decided to join the region with Greece, fulfilling a long-held Greek aspiration to annex the Ottoman-administered territory. Meanwhile, the Albanians of Chameria and Albanian National Awakening leaders, particularly after the 1878 Berlin Congress, aimed to include Chameria in an independent Albanian state. Thus, the Cham issue was a national concern for Albanian leaders before it became a diplomatic dispute. In 1913, the London Conference of Ambassadors decided to cede Chameria to Greece as part of the negotiations to define Albania's southern borders. The Albanian delegation, including Chameria's representatives, provided evidence to the London Conference about the region's Albanian character. However, the Conference ignored the Albanian delegation's arguments and ceded Chameria to Greece, fulfilling Greek claims supported by European powers like France, Russia, and Britain. Chameria lacked strong support from Albania. Albania, newly independent and with a government in its early stages, controlled only a small territory due to the Greek occupation of Southern Albania, limiting its ability to effectively advocate for Chameria.

Received: 22 October 2024 / Accepted: 17 February 2024 / Published: 06 March 2025