The Protocol of Corfu was a significant diplomatic agreement reached in May 1914. Representatives from the Great Powers, including Greece and Albania, convened on the Greek island of Corfu, where they drafted a protocol that recognized the autonomy of Northern Epirus. The region had become a flashpoint of conflict following the Balkan Wars, which had altered territorial boundaries and exacerbated ethnic tensions in Southeast Europe. Following Albania's declaration of independence in 1912, Northern Epirus remained a largely Greek-populated area that sought to maintain its cultural identity. The desire for autonomy stemmed from concerns that Albania, a newly established state, would not adequately protect the rights of its Greek minority. The protocol was intended to establish a governance framework that accommodated the interests of both the Albanian state and the local Greek population, while promoting peace in a highly volatile region. The agreement stipulated that local administrative control would be exercised by a Greek-majority council while acknowledging the nominal sovereignty of Albania.

However, the implementation of the protocol faced numerous challenges, as it took place in a context of rising nationalist fervor and impending wider conflicts. The situation in the Balkans remained unstable, with both Greece and Albania claiming rights over different territories. The protocol was a response to these tensions, seeking to provide a temporary solution to avoid further violence. Its effectiveness was limited, as both sides continued to maneuver politically and militarily in pursuit of their ambitious territorial goals, leading to continued discord in the region throughout the early 20th century.