Today marks 102 years since the Turkish-Greek population exchange agreement, which was signed in Lausanne, Switzerland.

On January 30, 1923, a special Turkish-Greek agreement was signed in Lausanne, on the exchange of the Greeks of Anatolia with the "Turks" (this included the Muslim Albanians from Chameria) of Greece. By decree, Greece appropriated the properties of the Muslim Albanians and unofficially treated them as an exchange population, as the Lausanne Agreement had foreseen for the Turks of Greece.

According to the agreement, starting from May 1, 1923: "...a mandatory exchange of "Turkish" citizens of the Orthodox faith must be carried out. Greeks settled in Turkish lands, as well as Greek citizens of the Muslim faith of the Republic of Turkey for the emigration of the Turkish population (meaning the displacement of the Albanian population of the Muslim faith) from those settled in Greek lands. The exchanged ones had to leave their country of origin and had to acquire that of the country they were going to, without the right of return. Meanwhile, in the summer of 1924, the exchange process took on a massive character.

After this, in 1938, the government of the Yugoslav kingdom signed a convention with the government of the Republic of Turkey for the emigration of the Turkish population (in fact, it was about the relocation of the Albanian population of the Muslim faith), from the southern part of Serbia, namely from Kosovo and other Albanian territories that extended into three banovinas: Zeta, Morava and Vardar.

Although the 1938 agreement was not fully implemented due to World War II, Albanian displacement policies continued after the war, especially in the 1950s, with the cooperation between Tito and the Turkish government.

In 1953, Tito and Turkish Prime Minister Adnan Menderes reached a verbal agreement (known as the “gentlemen’s agreement”) to facilitate the migration of Albanians from Kosovo and Macedonia to Turkey. It is estimated that more than half of the Albanians of the former Yugoslavia migrated during this period.

At this time, Yugoslavia distributed collective passports and visas to Albanians, labeling them as “Turks” to facilitate their deportation. Albanians were pressured to register as Turks in official registers, a move intended to present them as “ethnic Turks” and enable them to “voluntarily” leave for Turkey.

This was an ongoing effort to change the demographic structure of Kosovo and strengthen Serbian dominance in the region, a policy that continued until the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s.

Threats and discrimination

Repressive policies included intimidation of the Albanian population, arrests of political opponents, and suppression of Albanian cultural identity.

During the period 1950–1966, according to some sources, over 400,000 Albanians were forcibly or under pressure displaced from Kosovo, Sandzak and Macedonia to Turkey. A large part of them settled in the western part of Turkey, mainly in the regions of Izmir, Bursa, Istanbul and Ankara. This displacement significantly changed the demographic structure of Kosovo and the Albanian areas in Yugoslavia.

CONVENT

On the rules of emigration of the Turkish population * (*This refers to the migration of the Albanian population of Muslim faith) from the region of South Serbia to Yugoslavia.

The Government of the Republic of Turkey and the Government of the Majesty of the King of Yugoslavia state:

– The emigration (migration) of Muslims from the region of South Serbia, and

- At the same time, they appreciate that this population, on the other hand, in general, has lost the rights of the free regime in Yugoslavia, and together they are determined to leave the territory of the Kingdom, with their legitimate desire, in order to join the ethnic their natural in Turkey.

They expressed their desire to sign the Convention according to which the modes of migration are determined as well as their respective pre-impotences of:

His Majesty, the King of Yugoslavia;

M.

His Excellency, Mr. President of the Republic of Turkey.

M.

They will communicate and fulfill their wishes, in certain ways with the following provisions:

Article 1

This convention identifies Yugoslav citizens of Muslim religion, culture and nationality and who speak Turkish.

However, this Convention does not identify the persons for whom entry into Turkey is prohibited according to the laws and regulations of Turkey, which are in force, namely: the nomadic population and the gypsy.

Article 2

The regions which are subject to emigration under this Convention are as follows:

1. Banovina region of Vardar:

Sharr Mountain Region (Prizren); Gora (Dragashi); Podgora (Suha-Reka); Nerodimja (Ferizaj); Donji Polog-Lower Polog (Tetovo); Gornji Pollog-Upper Polog (Gostivar); Galica (Rostusha); Dibra (Dibër); Struga (Struga); Gracanica (Pristina); Kaçaniku (Kaçanik); Gjilan (Gjilan); Presevo (Presevo); Prespa (Resnja); Poreçi (Juzhni Brod-Makedonski Brod); Prilepi (Prilep); Bitoli (Monastery); Kavadarci (Kavadari); Marihovo (Bitola-Marihovë); Negotin Na Vardaru (Negotini i Vardaru); Skopje (Skopje), Kumanovo (Kumanovo); Velesi (Velesi); Ovche Pole (Ovche Pole); Radovishte (Radovishte); Strumica (Strumica); Dojrani (Valandova); Gevgelija (Gevgelija); Kriva Pallanka (Kriva Pallanka); Kratovo (Kratova); Carevo Sello (Carevo Sello); Malesi (Berovo).

2. Banovina Zeta region includes:

Peja (Peja); Istokun (Istog); Mitrovica of Kosovo (Mitrovica of Kosovo); Gjakova (Gjakova); Podrimjen (Rahovec).

3. The Banovina region of Morava includes:

Llapin (Podujevë); Vuciterna (Vuciterna); Drenica (Srbica).

The Yugoslav government would determine from which region emigration would begin.

Article 3

The number of families for which the Turkish Government undertakes to accept them from the regions referred to in Article 2, under the terms of this Convention, is 40.000. This includes joint families and their members (persons) and children of the same blood, who at the time of signing this Convention, live in an indivisible family community and under a common roof.

Article 4

The repatriation of these 40.000 families will be carried out for six (6) years, according to the following proportions:

1. In 1939 - 4.000 families

2. In 1940 - 6.000 families

3. In 1941 - 7.000 families

4. In 1942 - 7.000 families

5. In 1943 - 8.000 families

6. In 1944 - 8.000 families

If this number of families cannot be realized according to the years foreseen due to eventual obstacles-difficulties, the two contracting parties will make an agreement according to the relevant legal provisions on the number of emigrants (displaced persons), who will be evacuated by one side, and will be accepted by the other side, three months before the beginning of the emigration. However, it is understood that these eventual changes in the number of emigrants (displaced persons) per year, cannot be extended for more than one year during the six (6) years fixed for emigration (displacement). The time of emigration (displacement) for each year will last (will begin) from May to October 15, except for the contingent of the first year, which will begin at the beginning of July 1939.

Article 7

The Yugoslav Government shall pay to the Turkish Government the sum of 500 Turkish liras per family, the total amount being 20.000.000 Turkish liras for 40.000 families, on the basis of which sum these families shall be taken into consideration. Notwithstanding this global payment, all rural immovable property belonging to the displaced persons, in accordance with Article 6, shall remain the property of the Yugoslav Government. As regards the movable and immovable rural property belonging to the Muslim nationality or to the Evkaf (Wakaf), it is understood that this Convention shall not prejudice the provisions of the existing Law governing them.

Article 8

The Yugoslav Government shall, on the 1st of April and the 1st of October of each year, make a periodical (semi-annual) payment, which shall be in proportion to the number of families to be evacuated during the year, and which may be reduced or increased in proportion to their number. The payment, the amount of which is determined in the preceding Article (Article 7), shall be made in 12 installments divided over six (6) years.

Article 9

The Yugoslav government will make each payment as follows:

30% in foreign currency, which must be made available to the Government of the Republic of Turkey through the People's Bank of Yugoslavia;

70% in dinars, depositing them in the People's Bank of Yugoslavia, for the benefit of the bank account - in favor of the Government of the Republic of Turkey.

The National Bank of Yugoslavia will immediately notify the Turkish Legation in Belgrade of each payment, that the deposit has been made in their account.

Article 10

For the conversion of dinars into Turkish lira, the People's Bank of Yugoslavia and the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey will, in mutual agreement, perform according to the exchange rate in Turkish lira, which is valid on the day of the exchange, respectively on the day of each payment.

Article 11

The amounts (funds) deposited in the National Bank of Yugoslavia will be used by the Government of the Republic of Turkey, either in all forms or payments and expenditures, which will be made in Yugoslavia, or for purchases in the Yugoslav market, except for goods. , the export of which is prohibited and conditional on their payments in foreign currency (such as): copper, wool, leather goods, walnut products, oil fruits, olives, wheat and corn.

The purchase of all these goods will be realized, destining them to Turkey. These goods will be exempt from any tax, levy or any other export charge. It is understood that, for export, the provisions provided on the basis of commercial (trade) agreements concluded or to be concluded will not apply, but it will be done in accordance with the provisions of this Convention.

Article 12

Persons who will be evacuated during the period of displacement, who will be displaced according to the annual list, must give (submit) a written statement to the Yugoslav authorities pursuant to Article 53 of the Law on Yugoslav Citizens in force, that they renounce Yugoslav citizenship voluntarily. These persons will have the qualities and enjoy the rights of displaced persons under Turkish law, from the moment that the representatives of Turkey, who will be appointed for this issue, will sign the annual lists of emigration in Turkey.

Article 13

The emigrants, in general, will be free to liquidate or carry away with them all their movable goods (property) of all kinds, which they possess (as personal property), then animals spent from their farms, instruments, cars, etc. which are used in agricultural or industrial work or for the exercise of crafts and other professions.

However, for the transport of their goods and movable property, agricultural tools, then 4 large animals and 10 small animals, not counting their young, etc.; the Yugoslav Government undertakes to transport them free of charge to the port of their landing in Thessaloniki.

For the transport of goods, expats enjoy reduced taxes according to the tariff in force. However, they do not enjoy tax reductions for animals, such as six fat animals and 20 fine (small) animals, not counting their young, for each family that moves.

The export of animals is carried out according to the provisions of the existing veterinary Convention and on the basis of a veterinarian's certificate, which will be provided free of charge to those who relocate.

Article 14

Those who migrate are authorized, equally, to import: exclusively their personal ornaments, namely their necks or parts thereof, necklaces of gold, silver, which women wear around their necks, and each of them cannot import more than one sosh.

Despite this, each family guardian is authorized to freely import, on leaving Yugoslavia, the amount of 2.000 dinars, as well as the amount of 4.000 dinars converted into foreign exchange. internal, after the liquidation of their movable and immovable property in the city and in the countryside, the goods, the export of which is not conditional on foreign exchange or prohibited in Yugoslavia, as well as the import of which is not prohibited in Turkey . All such goods will be subject to export and import taxes and other charges.

Article 15

The National Bank of Yugoslavia shall open a special bank account in the name of the Government of the Republic of Turkey at the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey, in which each evacuee shall have the opportunity to deposit all the amounts due to him and at his disposal, with a view to guaranteeing the transfer through the purchase of goods in Yugoslavia. The National Bank of Yugoslavia shall notify the Turkish Legation in Belgrade of each payment made in cash, with detailed instructions to the depositor. These amounts, thus transferred to Turkey, through goods purchased in Yugoslavia, shall be returned to the interested parties by the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey.

Article 16

The funds, goods, valuables, furniture and all other objects belonging to minors and other members of the family, entrusted to them by the guardian of the family and entrusted by the competent Yugoslav authorities, shall be paid or allowed to the Government of the Republic of Turkey, which shall in future ensure their administration and protection until they come of age, while their repayment shall be made to the head of the family, who shall enjoy this right in accordance with the laws of Turkey.

Article 17

All Muslim youth whose families are registered on the annual displacement lists and who are still in the ranks of the Yugoslav Army will be immediately released from further military service, and at the same time will be relocated along with their families. Under the same conditions, young Turkish Muslims living in regions whose population is destined to emigrate during the following year will not be included.

Article 18

A special Commission will be appointed by the Yugoslav Government, which will be engaged in the compilation of an annual list of the displaced persons, detailing with all the necessary notes on the conditions, professions and trades of the emigrants. The lists should be presented to the representatives of the Turkish Government, and at the same time should be implemented by them, they will serve as a basis for authorizing the issuance of Turkish passports, as well as for calculating the number of families of the displaced persons.

This Yugoslav Commission will maintain permanent co-operation with the Turkish delegates, and at their request, should provide them with all the information they need.

Article 19

The departure and embarkation of the evacuees will be carried out on the basis of collective Turkish passports, which will be issued to them by the consular authorities of the Government of the Republic of Turkey in Yugoslavia. The collective Turkish passports, as well as all other necessary documents, which serve as evidence, the preparation of annual lists and the corresponding visas in the passports for exiting Yugoslavia, will be carried out absolutely free of charge.

Article 20

In the free zone of Yugoslavia, in Salonika, a joint Turkish-Yugoslav commission will be constituted, composed of officials appointed by the two governments, which will be engaged, by mutual agreement, to undertake all necessary measures, according to the circumstances and conditions of the loading and unloading of the evacuees.

Article 21

This Convention enters into force on the day of its ratification by both governments.

At the same time, the signatories will certify this Convention with the respective seals.

Written in French in 1938./KosovaPress/