Abstract
Czechoslovak-Italian relations were established during WWI when the effort for creating Czech legions in Italy appeared. These activities were pursued mainly by Milan Rastislav Štefánik and from Italian side by Italian Committee for Czechoslovak Independence founded in January 1917 under the club of Dante Alighieri's patronage.
On April 21 1918, Štefánik and Italian Prime Minister Vittorio Emanuel Orlando signed a contract concerning the creation of Czechoslovak Army in Italy under the leadership of Czechoslovak National Committee. Czechoslovak Army created in Italy (led by General Luigi Piccione) participated in military operations in Italy and consequently in Slovakia in 1919.
During the Slovakian War, the relations between Italy and Czechoslovakia were diminished due to the competence-confl icts which appeared between Italian and French military missions. The main role was played by the relations between both countries.
A major improvement of the situation could be found in 1920-1921, when the position of Italian Prime Minister was occupied by Giovanni Giolitti and the position of the minister foreign affairs by Carlo Sforza. For example, Czechoslovak and Italian government acted in coordination during the restoration crisis in the spring of 1921 (Carl of Hapsburg and Hungary).
However, after the fall of Giolitti's cabinet (June 1921), the relations worsened again.