Albanian Congress of Trieste


The Albanian Congress of Trieste was a congress of Albanians held in Trieste, Austria-Hungary in the period between 27 February – 6 March 1913, organized by Faik Konica and Sotir Kolea with strong support from the Austrian authorities.

Developments

The Provisional Government of Albania sent Kristo Meksi as its emissary to the Albanian Congress of Trieste. Baron Franz Nopcsa who participated in the work of the congress, published his notes on the congress that became of particular historical interest. The participants of the congress included Fan Noli, Albert Ghica, Baron Juan Pedro Aladro Kastriota, Nikolla Ivanaj, Giuseppe Schirò, and Terenzio Tocci. All Albanian colonies sent their delegates, they came from US, Romania, Bulgaria, Egypt, Italy, and Trieste. The Arbereshe community also was present, bringing with Marchese D'Auletta and his sons.
Hil Mosi was elected Chairman of the Congress, Faik Konitza and Dervish Hima as vice-chairmen, Fazil Toptani and Pandeli Evangjeli as secretaries. Marchese d'Auletta, one of the main candidates for the Albanian throne, was elected "Honorary President" of the congress.
The congress recognized the provisional government set up by Ismail Qemal bey Vlora and discussed the various candidates for the vacant throne. Among the candidates being discussed at the
time were Ferdinand François Bourbon Orléans-Montpensier of France, Albert Ghika of Romania, Wilhelm Karl, Duke of Urach from Württemberg, the Egyptian prince Ahmed Fuad, and the Spanish nobleman Juan Pedro Aladro Kastriota descent from the Kastrioti family through his paternal grandmother, he was the son of the Marchese Castriota from Naples. Baron Nopzsa also proposed himself for the throne. Austria–Hungary promoted the congress, in particular to ensure the selection of a prince of its choice.

List of delegates

Decisions

The program of the congress had four points:
  1. Preparing the request to be sent to the Great Powers for recognition of the political and economical independence of the Albania
  2. Treaty of friendship and support of the Aromanian populations that lived near Albanian-inhabited regions and wanted to be included in the Albanian state.
  3. Borders of future Albania
  4. Discussion about the prince