TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ The Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, today described the joint meeting between the Albanian and Italian governments as historic and as opening a new phase in bilateral relations.
During the joint press conference alongside Prime Minister Rama, following the meeting between the two governments, Prime Minister Meloni stated: “This is the first time the two governments have met in this particular format. Moreover, as you have just witnessed, the number and quality of the bilateral technical and governmental agreements signed today attest to the depth and significance of our cooperation.”
Prime Minister Meloni emphasized that “it is evident that the relationship between Italy and Albania is deeply rooted. It has always been a stable and enduring partnership that extends beyond mere mutual interests.”
Meloni went on to say, “We were all somewhat moved by the meeting of our plenary assembly, where at least twenty ministers took the floor — all speaking exclusively in Italian, without the need for translation.”
Prime Minister Meloni highlighted the deep and enduring ties between Italy and Albania, describing Italy as a long-standing point of reference for Albania. She emphasized that the goal of the day’s events was to transform this exceptional relationship into a valuable foundation for further strengthening and deepening bilateral cooperation.
Meloni then addressed the economic relations between the two countries.
“It is clear that Italy is Albania’s principal trading partner, with over 3,000 Italian companies operating in Albania. Our goal is to give these relations greater attention by placing them on a deeper and more strategic level,” Meloni said.
The Italian Prime Minister announced that “we have scheduled another meeting, with the objective of establishing a forum where companies and enterprises in the production system will be represented, within the first six months from today.”
Prime Minister Meloni underscored that “we have identified the strategic directions for continuing our cooperation in sectors such as energy and transport, with particular emphasis on Corridor VIII — the route originating from Apulia, traversing Albania, and extending toward North Macedonia and Bulgaria. The integration of the Adriatic coasts and its development into a strategic corridor provides comprehensive access to the economic, logistical, and energy infrastructure of southern Italy, positioning the region as a crucial gateway. This initiative aims to promote greater prosperity and development, not only for Italy and Albania but for Europe as a whole.”
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