The Pan-Epirotic Assembly of Delvino (Greek: Πανηπειρωτική Διάσκεψη Δέλβινου) was a meeting of the representatives of the Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus, in June–July 1914, that ratified the Protocol of Corfu.
[1] The latter agreement granted an autonomous status for Northern Epirus, as well as a number of rights for the local Greek populations, inside the borders of the newly established Principality of Albania.
[5] An International Commission of Control formed by the Great Powers to secure stability and peace in the region was unable to achieve an agreement between the two sides.
According to this the districts of Korytsa and Argyrokastro, which form Northern Epirus, were recognized as an autonomous self-governing region under the sovereignty of the newly established Prince William of Albania.
Moreover, the agreement granted the local Greeks wider religious, educational, cultural and political autonomy, inside the borders of the Albanian state.
There is therefore a great need for circumspection and vigilance to the decisions which are to be taken by this assembly on whether to ratify or not the Corfu agreementAdditionally, Zografos proposed that the working sessions be put off until June 26, so the representatives would have the sufficient time to study the text of the Protocol.
The guerrilla forces of Essad Pasha Toptani managed to capture Elbasan in central Albania, while various irregular bands in this sector pillaged the countryside and moved against Korcë, which was part of the Northern Epirus region, but still under the control of the Albanian gendarmerie.
[10] Zografos, worried by these developments, and contrary to the warnings of the Greek Prime Minister, Eleftherios Venizelos, ordered the Northern Epirote forces to enter the city immediately, which happened in July.
[1] Venizelos warned Zografos of the risks that would entail in case of non-ratification:[12] I am surprised to see that you are hesitating over the ratification of the Corfu agreement by the Epirot assembly.
Spyromilios also reminded the delegates that when the Northern Epirote struggle started, in February 1914, all participants had unanimously decided for "complete autonomy or total destruction".