THE ADMISSION OF ALBANIA TO THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Abstract

The aim of this research is to bring to the public one of the most significant moments in the history of modern Albania. At the end of World War I the winning powers (Entente Allies) had to set up a new world order. For this purpose a Peace Conference was convened in Paris in January 1919. But, Albania was not included in new European projects, since its independence and territorial integrity was not respected. At the same time a new international organization – League of Nations – emerged. The League of Nations was an international organization whose mission was to maintain peace and collective security around the world. Therefore, the Albanian political elite viewed admission to the League as their best hope to preserve Albania. Albania's request for admission was rejected on the ground that the political and legal status of Albania had to be confirmed. In the meantime, news about the discovery of oil resources in Albania attracted the attention of British diplomacy. In exchange for granting a concession for oil exploration and exploitation to a British company, the British government facilitated Albania's admission to the League of Nations. The paper “The Admission of Albania to the League of Nations” aims to elaborate on the circumstances that led to the rejection and then the admission of Albania to the League of Nations, to argue that economic and strategic factors and interests are the main determinants of international policies. Albania’s membership in the League was of critical importance for political affirmation, preservation of its independence and territorial integrity. The perspective used in this paper is based on a comparative and chronological approach. This approach combines archival sources with contemporary literature to take a literal interpretation of historical developments.