Albanian resolution offering the Throne to the King of Italy, 12 April 1939

(Translation)

The National Constituent Assembly, representing the Albanian people and interpreting its will,^* assembled at Tirana on 12 April 1939, XVII of the Fascist Era, decides follows: –

1. The regime which has hitherto existed in Albania has ceased. The constitution in which this regime had its origin abrogated.

2. A government is created by nomination of the assembly which shall have full powers.

3. The Assembly declares that the Albanian people, remembering and being grateful for the constructive support given by the Duce and fascist Italy towards the development and progress of Albania, decides to associate more intimately the life and destiny of Albania with those of Italy by establishing with her ties of an even closer solidarity. Agreements inspired with a view to this solidarity will be successively concluded between Albania and Italy.

4. The National Constituent Assembly, interpreting the unanimous will, aiming at the national revival of the Albanian people and as a solemn pledge for the realisation thereof, decides to offer, in the form of a personal union, the crown of Albania to His Majesty Victor Emmanuel III, King of Italy and Emperor of Ethiopia, in favour of His Majesty and his Royal heirs.

* The resolution was forced on Albania by an invading, occupying power and not recognized by a majority of the international community.

Sources

British and foreign state papers. 1939. Vol. 143, London: His Majesty's Stationary Office, 1951, pp. 326-327.

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(first time published in 1999).