Sorry about the Short update. I have to go to work. If I need to edit something I'll have to do it later. I just want to kill this bout of writer's block once and for all.
Excerpt from Decades of Tragedy, 2011 Anniversary Special Edition
Improving relations
After the Serbian War things in Europe were mostly quiet. The Russian government found itself having to rebuild its diplomatic influence in the region the hard way. In Austria-Hungary, Franz Joseph had ordered attempts to foster stable relations with all the Balkan states. To this end, starting in August of 1903, the Austro-Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Agenor Maria Goluchowski visited the heads of each Balkan state. Italian and Russian officials took notice, and sent their own equivalents (Tommaso Tottoni and Vladimir Lamsdorf, respectively) for the same purpose (except in Serbia).
It was during Agenor’s travels that he met with the Kynaz of Bulgaria and discussed ways for Austria-Hungary to increase its involvement in the region without alarming Italy, Russia, and Turkey. Kynaz Ferdinand suggested an annual meeting of the Christian heads of state of the Balkan Peninsula (including Franz Joseph as Austria-Hungary had Croatia and controlled Bosnia-Herzegovina). If the meeting was set up by one of lesser Balkan powers, it might not set off any red flags (he was wrong in that regard). Over the rest of Agenor’s travels (Montenegro, Greece, and for good measure Romania), he set about inviting other heads of states while Ferdinand organized the meeting.
The First Annual Balkan Cooperation Meeting was set for October 18th 1903. The King of Italy and Czar of Russia were invited so as to avoid problems from them. Invitations were also extended to important members of these countries’ governments (such as Prime Minister Giovanni Giolitti of Italy). The meeting allowed members of each country's government to communicate and perhaps solve issues they had with each other. Not everyone showed up to the first meeting however, and Kaiser Franz Joseph, King Theodore, Kynaz Ferdinand were the only heads of state there. Foreign Minister Tommaso Tittoni of Italy did show up, however, and each of the other countries sent at least a representative to the meeting. Except Russia, who were dealing with their own problems further east...
This first meeting would mark the beginning of a gradual shift in the Balkan balance of power toward Austria-Hungary, though no one knew it at the time. Also unknown were plans by a madman that would come to fruition four years later...