Following the meeting, Rama took to the social media to share a photo gallery and thanked French President Macron for the reception and described the talks as a pleasure.

“Thank you very much, Mr. President. It was a pleasure to meet today with the President of France, Emmanuel Macron,” Rama wrote on social media.

The two leaders held a working lunch focused on strengthening the strategic partnership between Albania and France, with discussions also touching on regional developments and European affairs.

The talks included Albania’s EU accession process and what was described as a renewed approach to enlargement policy, as well as preparations for the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara.

The meeting comes as part of ongoing high-level political dialogue between Tirana and Paris aimed at deepening cooperation across a range of sectors, including diplomacy, security and economic relations.

Rama and Macron have met repeatedly in recent years, including in Paris in April 2024 and in Tirana in October 2023 and May 2025, alongside regular contacts in multilateral settings and telephone conversations.

Albania has consistently described France as a key European partner and has welcomed Macron’s role in promoting a revised approach to EU enlargement in the Western Balkans, as well as his support for the region’s European perspective.

In this context, the Paris visit is seen as part of efforts to reaffirm political alignment between the two countries and maintain momentum on Albania’s EU integration path, which remains a central foreign policy objective for Tirana.

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Speaking at a press conference, the Democratic Party chairman said meetings at the Élysée Palace traditionally provide an opportunity for France to convey its views on important issues to visiting leaders.

“I hope President Macron bears in mind that the reality described by Edi Rama – involving algorithms and alleged foreign influences – is not the reality seen on the streets of Tirana, where citizens have been protesting for 22 days in a peaceful and sustained manner,” Berisha said.

He argued that the rallies reflected public frustration with the government and dismissed suggestions that domestic criticism was being driven by foreign actors or online campaigns.

Berisha also said he hoped Macron would deliver what he called “the right message” to Rama in the interests of Albania, the region and the country’s international partners.

“I sincerely hope this meeting at the Élysée will help Edi Rama receive the right message, in the best interests of Albania, the region and Albania’s friends,” he said.

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