projects-tribute-shelter – Albanian  Telegraphic  Agency. https://en.ata.gov.al News Agency Thu, 13 Nov 2025 17:01:24 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Rama and Meloni announce projects to honor Albanians’ WWII aid to over 25,000 Italian soldiers https://en.ata.gov.al/2025/11/13/rama-and-meloni-announce-projects-to-honor-albanians-wwii-aid-to-over-25000-italian-soldiers/ https://en.ata.gov.al/2025/11/13/rama-and-meloni-announce-projects-to-honor-albanians-wwii-aid-to-over-25000-italian-soldiers/#respond Thu, 13 Nov 2025 17:01:24 +0000 https://en.ata.gov.al/?p=279685 TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ During today’s joint press conference following the first meeting of the Albanian and Italian governments in Rome, Prime Minister Edi Rama and his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni praised the extraordinary humanitarian actions of the Albanian people in September 1943, when they rescued thousands of Italian soldiers stranded in Albania after Italy’s surrender, providing them shelter and protection from the Nazi occupiers.
“We take pride in two particularly significant chapters of our history. The first is the rescue of Jewish people during World War II, when Albania ended the war with a greater Jewish population than at its outset. The second pertains to the Italian soldiers who remained in Albania following the Nazi occupation. Approximately 25,000 of these soldiers were saved by the Albanian people. While this account may spark debate among some, it must be emphasized that Italians were never regarded as true adversaries, and it is an established fact that, at the time of Italy’s surrender, all Italian soldiers were rescued by Albanians,” stated Prime Minister Rama.
Prime Minister Rama also recalled a significant story illustrating the historical ties between the two peoples:
“History presents a remarkable connection between a father and his son. The father was a high-ranking Italian officer who lost his life in Albania at that time, and the Albanians buried him with the highest honors. His son, an officer in the Italian army, became in 1991 a key figure in organizing the ‘Arcobaleno’ mission, undertaken by Italy to assist Albania during an exceptionally difficult period following the country’s emergence from communism—before the light of freedom and democracy could be fully seen. This is indeed a very important chapter,” emphasized Rama.

On her part, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni emphasized that this bright chapter of the shared Albanian-Italian history deserves to be remembered and duly honored.

“Yes, I believe it deserves to be remembered and reassessed. I discussed this topic with Prime Minister Rama, and there are several projects currently ongoing in this direction. They also sought our willingness to contribute, and we will fulfill our part, as this represents an extraordinary chapter in the history and relations between our two peoples—a beautiful expression of friendship and the readiness to make sacrifices for one another,” stated Meloni.
Rama expressed his keen anticipation for the completion of the film commemorating this historical chapter and its presentation within Italian institutions, emphasizing its significance as a symbol of the enduring friendship and collaborative relations between the two nations.
“I hope that the film on this subject will be completed and produced soon, and I have confidence in Minister Antonio Tajani’s willingness to assist us in screening it in the Chamber of Deputies, while in the Senate, Ignazio La Russa will undoubtedly facilitate its presentation,”* added Rama.
/j.p/

]]> https://en.ata.gov.al/2025/11/13/rama-and-meloni-announce-projects-to-honor-albanians-wwii-aid-to-over-25000-italian-soldiers/feed/ 0