Unusual scenes at the summit meeting of the European Political Community (EPC) in Tirana:

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama knelt on the red carpet before Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. This gesture, accompanied by folded hands, was an expression of the close relations between Albania and Italy.

Rama, the 60-year-old former basketball player, is known for his unconventional appearances. Meloni (48) – Italy’s first female head of government since October 2022 – reacted humorously to the scene: “He’s only doing that to get down to my height,” she joked, alluding to the difference in height between the two politicians.

At the summit in Tirana, attended by 50 European heads of state and government, key issues such as migration, energy security, and European integration were discussed. Particular attention was paid to the migration agreement between Italy and Albania, which provides for the establishment of a reception center for migrants in northern Albania. Rama emphasized that this agreement was a sign of gratitude to Italy, which had taken in many Albanian migrants after the Cold War.

During the summit, Rama also made humorous remarks about the weather, joking that the rain had come with the British delegation and that the sun had appeared with the arrival of French President Emmanuel Macron.

Rama’s demonstrative gesture underscores the close bilateral relations between Albania and Italy and reflects the importance Albania attaches to cooperation with European partners. The summit in Tirana marked another step in Albania’s efforts to integrate more closely into the European community.

Image: Credits: APA