Edi Rama kneels at the feet of Giorgia Meloni: Albanian PM's Ongoing Admiration

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In a scene that blurred the lines between diplomacy and theater, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama once again found himself at the feet of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni—literally. On Friday, as Meloni arrived in Tirana for the European Political Community (EPC) summit, Rama greeted her by dropping to one knee on a red carpet in a gesture that was equal parts playful and reverent.

 

 

This was not the first time Rama has offered such a greeting to Meloni, but it was certainly one of the most photographed. Meloni, taken by surprise, laughed and said, “Edi, no!” as Rama brought his hands together in a mock prayer pose. Standing next to the towering Rama, who is 6 feet 7 inches tall, Meloni, who stands at 5 feet 2 inches, joked to photographers, “He only does it to be as tall as me.”

 

The brief but colorful exchange was emblematic of the rapport between the two leaders. With a casual arm around Meloni’s shoulder, Rama asked in Italian, “Tutto bene?”—“Everything OK?” The informality of their interaction stood in sharp contrast to the usual stiff protocols of international diplomacy. Yet, it also underlined a genuine and growing political partnership between Albania and Italy.

 

Rama, a former professional basketball player who chose to wear white trainers with his suit at the summit, has cultivated a particularly warm relationship with Rome. That closeness is reflected in his government’s controversial decision to allow Italy to construct a migrant processing center in northern Albania. Though the center has not yet opened due to ongoing legal disputes, Rama has defended the move as a gesture of gratitude. “Italy was ready to welcome our migrants after the Cold War,” he has stated, framing the arrangement as a symbolic return of past favors.

 

Albania has also benefited from Italy’s vocal support in its efforts to join the European Union. During a joint press conference with UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer earlier in the week, Rama reiterated that Albania would not permit the UK to establish a similar migrant hub on its soil, signaling that the special treatment is reserved exclusively for Italy. His wit was on display once more as he joked that the British delegation had brought the heavy rain to Tirana, only to later declare “Here’s the Sun King” when French President Emmanuel Macron arrived and the sun broke through the clouds.

 

 

This isn’t the first time Rama’s admiration for Meloni has been on public display. Earlier this year, during a summit in Abu Dhabi, he also knelt before her and presented her with a birthday gift—a scarf—while serenading her with “Happy Birthday.” These repeated displays of affection and humor have made headlines and sparked discussions about the dynamics between the two leaders.

 

Whatever the motivations behind Rama’s theatrical gestures—whether diplomatic symbolism, personal camaraderie, or a strategic embrace of populist charm—one thing is clear: Giorgia Meloni has found not just an ally in Edi Rama, but a devoted admirer whose reverence is far from ordinary.

 

Related Topic:

Albania Snubs Starmer after Rejecting UK Migrant Return Hubs

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Times  2025-05-19

 

 

 

 

[newbee2022]

She seems to be a hot tart to him. Embarrassing 😳 

[blazes]

Edi looks like the villain from a Reacher series.

In the Commie days of Enver Hoxha, he would have been put away in the Albanian version of the Bangkok Hilton.