An Unavoidable Conflict? The Italian-Yugoslav Confrontation in the Adriatic Sea and the Balkans
Relations between Italy and Yugoslavia in the interwar period were, broadly speaking, tense, uncooperative and unfriendly. A number of political problems opened up a great rift between Rome and Belgrade: the diplomatic struggle for possession of Istria, Fiume and Dalmatia; the political rivalry for control of Albania; the Italian support for Croatian and Macedonian separatism; and the presence of national minorities within the respective borders (Slovenes and Croats in Venezia Giulia and Italians in Dalmatia).