Edi and Giorgia are a strange couple. He is a historic and innovative socialist Prime Minister, a politician, and an artist. She is a lady of the right, a right that once considered Albanians a threat in Italy.
She is a moment of determination, he, a former basketball player, a giant. The height difference is also noticeable in the official photos. The first in December 2022 when they met in Tirana at the international summit between the EU and the Western Balkan countries.
“I am 198 centimeters tall, but when she speaks, she passes me,” Rama said on June 2, after a warm hug at Silvio Berlusconi’s funeral.
And on August 17, at the end of his speedy August trip from Puglia, he called her “Albania’s sister”, reserving the title “Italy’s brother”. For Rama, the Italian Prime Minister is the most generous and convincing sponsor of EU accession.
Mr. Prime Minister, does this friendship explain?
“I have always had very good relationships with all the Italian prime ministers. In 32 years of free and democratic Albania, everyone, from right to left, has been willing to help us. All. Italy was the greatest advocate of our country in the European context. For me, it is an honor to have created this deep friendship with all the leaders of the Italian Government,” he says.
With Giorgia Meloni, however, political sentiment is particularly evident.
“I get along with her because she is a real person and someone who is truly the same on television and when she speaks in person. She says what she thinks and means what she says. She is a special politician,” he adds.
How did the migrant pact come about?
“Giorgia had talked to me about this before the summer; then we talked on August 15 when she came to Albania. We have had other requests from different countries, but we could not say no to Italy,” says Rama.
Who will bear the expenses?
“Italy will take care of creating and managing the centers: the structures still need to be built,” he adds.
But with the agreement of yesterday, a great headache is coming to you. What is the compensation?
“Unbelievable, everyone asks me this. But instead, I think this thing should be seen in a much simpler way. We don’t do business. And we already have experience in hosting Afghan refugees,” says Rama.
Why?
“Because when Italy needs it, we give a hand, and we are honored to do it. Because Italy showed us so much respect, gave us a big hand not once but many times, welcomed us with open arms when we escaped from hell,” he says.
At this stage, Albania needs a lot of Italian investments.
“Italy already invests a lot in Albania, but it can do much more. However, not for this reason, we have decided to help your country, but with a pure and simple spirit of friendship. That’s how friendships are nourished and affirmed,” Rama concludes.
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