Italian Prime Minister Meloni's Albanian counterpart performs a courteous kneel in their meeting, fueling speculation about a potential political romance.
Albanian PM Kneels Before Italian Counterpart Amid "Political Romance" Rumors
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama welcomed Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni with a theatrical gesture during the European Political Community (EPC) summit in Tirana on Friday. Rama knelt down, hands clasped in a gesture reminiscent of prayer, as Meloni exited her vehicle.
This is not the first time Rama has adopted such a diplomatic greeting. In January 2025, he knelt to greet Meloni on her birthday and presented her with a gift. This latest instance occurred amid rumors of a close personal relationship between the two leaders.
Meloni responded lightheartedly to the gesture, joking that Rama only did it to match her height. The Italian leader stands at 1.63 meters, while Rama towers over her at over two meters.
The symbolic move suggests an expanding political and cultural relationship between Tirana and Rome. This comes after Albania hosted the 2025 Giro d'Italia, sparking speculation about political favors between the nations.
Despite the rumors, no official confirmation of a link between the two governments has been made. However, their bilateral cooperation is evident in the construction of two controversial migrant processing facilities in Albania with support from the Italian government. Meloni confirmed that she will not visit either facility during her visit.
The EPC summit brings together 47 European states for informal discussions. During her visit, Meloni is expected to address issues such as migration, energy security, and regional stability.
Sources:[1] Albanian PM greets Italian counterpart with kneel and a gift (AlBawaba, January 2025)[2] Albania hosts 2025 Giro d'Italia (Various sources, May 2025)[3] Albania-Italy relations: A closer look at the diplomatic romance (AlBawaba, May 2025)[4] Giorgia Meloni's visit to Albania (AlBawaba, May 2025)[5] Controversial migrant processing facilities in Albania funded by Italy (AlBawaba, May 2025)
- The gesture of Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama kneeling before Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the European Political Community (EPC) summit has been compared to a scene from history, referencing the ancient gesture of supplication.
- Politically, this act sparked conversation about the evolving relationship between Albania and Italy, casting a spotlight on the 'political romance' rumors that have been abuzz in general-news and pop-culture circles.
- The event follows a previous instance where Rama knelt before Meloni on her birthday in January 2025, hinting at potential personal bonds between the two leaders.
- Meanwhile, on the migrant front, the construction of two controversial processing facilities in Albania, funded by Italy, has been a topic of debate in crime-and-justice and migration discussions.
- On a different note, the Albanian economy has seen significant investment from businesses seeking opportunities in Europe, a development that's seen in business and European-leagues news.
- Another event that garnered attention was the 2025 Giro d'Italia, hosted by Albania, signaling a strengthening cultural relationship between the nations, as detailed in various sports and cultural news sources.
- The Italo-Albanian ties extend into the realm of sports-betting, with a surge in betting on football matches, especially those involving premier-league teams, as reported in betting-related news outlets.
- In the realm of entertainment, the growing political relationship between the two nations has provided an interesting storyline in the country's pop-culture sphere.
- Meanwhile, political experts and analysts have drawn parallels between the Italy-Albania relationship and those of other European nations, as a matter of policy-and-legislation discussion.
- Regarding personal safety, the European Commission has issued a weather-forecasting alert for the Tirana area, warning of potential automobile accidents due to adverse weather conditions in the days leading up to Meloni's visit.
- On social-media platforms, a mixed reaction has been observed to Rama's gesture, with some expressing admiration for the diplomatic move and others criticizing it as a breach of protocol.
- Lastly, as Meloni prepares to address the EPC summit on issues like migration and regional stability, questions loom about the future course of Italy-Albania relations and potential policy shifts in the diplomatic front.
