In a joint press conference with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome, Prime Minister Edi Rama described the meeting between the two governments as a “historic day” in relations between Albania and Italy.

Rama emphasized that, for the first time, the two governments are sitting together to discuss concrete joint projects, including economic and defense cooperation and the European integration process.

The Albanian prime minister praised Italy’s support as the country’s “big sister” on Albania’s path toward the European Union and underlined Rome’s special role in the upcoming phase of negotiations.

“In 2028, when Italy will hold the presidency of the European Council, we will be in safe hands,” Rama said, stressing that Albania is ready to finalize the technical negotiations and begin the political ones under the leadership of Giorgia Meloni.

“It would truly be the cherry on top if, in 2028—the year when Italy will assume the presidency of the European Council—and when Giorgia will hold the dual role of Italy’s prime minister and president of the European Council… you laugh, but time will pass and you will see that I am always right. Thus, after we complete the technical negotiations, by the end of 2028 we can begin work on the political negotiations. If the responsibility for these negotiations lies with Giorgia, it means we will be in the best possible hands to open that door which has remained closed to us for hundreds of years. And as I said during the meeting, and as I have said before, we are ready to make an agreement with the European Union not to use the veto or even our vote—we are not interested in that. We are fanatical supporters of European values and have no intention, no desire, to use the veto. This means we are ready to sign an agreement to be represented by the Italian European Commissioner. It would be wonderful to have you as commissioner for the same country, because we are the same country. Thank you very much, and I am truly honored and grateful for all that we are doing together, but especially for this extraordinary hospitality,” Rama said.

“Today is a historic day because, for the first time, the Albanian government sits with the Italian government to talk about joint projects and a shared future, but also to take stock of what has been done and to sign concrete agreements and concrete projects. To be honest, in all the years I have had the privilege of leading the Albanian government—and these are not few—I have never had any doubt about the goodwill, the affection, and the desire to help from all Italian governments. But with this government, there is affection, there is desire, but there is also action. And we are truly very grateful, because not only is Italy our ‘big sister’—she is my sister by my choice, not hers—but her ministers have also been very willing to help us. I hope this will not be misunderstood when I say that, thanks especially to the fraternal engagement of Italy’s defense minister, today we are able to plan in several directions—specifically to strengthen our defense capabilities and our shared security capacities. For this I thank Minister Crosetto, as well as Minister Tajani, a true Europeanist and a great friend of Albania. He has supported us in all our missions—not only diplomatically but also economically and in joint projects.

Thanks to this government and to the personal care of Italy’s prime minister, today all Albanians who have lived and contributed in Italy by working and paying their insurance contributions finally have the right to a pension. A request made more than ten years ago, promised by all previous governments, but now a reality—thanks to Giorgia Meloni and this government. Everything Prime Minister Meloni said earlier goes in the direction of deepening this relationship and strengthens the essence of this special connection—this strategic partnership that is now accompanied by major projects,” Rama added.

“And then we have culture. If culture were not present, it would mean Italy were not present—and this honors this government and its minister. I am happy today to join you in the criticism you will receive from the press, because from what I have seen, they adore you particularly. But as far as I am concerned, after so many years we finally have a concrete agreement to establish together a major European cultural institution: the MAXXI in Rome together with our National Gallery. Dear minister, I hope that the Museum of Italian Art in Albania will be another concrete reality—and I hope it will be you who opens the doors of that museum,” he said.