Enver Hoxha, the chief of Albania from 1944 to 1985, articulated a constant and multifaceted opposition in the direction of Greece, rooted in historic grievances, territorial disputes, and ideological variations. This opposition stemmed from a perceived irredentist ambition on the a part of Greece to annex territories in southern Albania, a area Greeks consult with as Northern Epirus. Hoxha seen this as a direct risk to Albanian sovereignty and territorial integrity. He cited historic occasions, significantly these following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, as proof of Greek expansionist designs in opposition to Albania.
The historic context is essential in understanding the depth of Hoxha’s animosity. The disputed territory of Northern Epirus had a blended inhabitants of Albanians and Greeks, resulting in conflicting claims of possession. Following World Struggle II, the unresolved standing of this area continued to gas tensions. Hoxha’s staunch protection of Albania’s borders and his dedication to self-reliance have been central tenets of his communist ideology. He seen any exterior stress, together with perceived threats from Greece, as a problem to Albania’s independence and socialist growth. This notion was strengthened by Greece’s alignment with the Western bloc throughout the Chilly Struggle, which Hoxha thought of inherently hostile to Albania’s communist system.
