Albania and Italy hold historic intergovernmental summit, sign 16 cooperation deals

Prime Minister Edi Rama and eleven members of his cabinet were welcomed Thursday with an official ceremony by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at Villa Doria Pamphili in Rome, marking the first-ever intergovernmental summit (G2G) between Albania and Italy. The event, widely described by both leaders as “historic”, produced 16 cooperation agreements and memoranda covering a wide array of sectors — from defense and cybersecurity to healthcare, energy, diaspora and economic development.

Why is this important: The summit signifies a major leap in bilateral relations, as Albania positions itself not only as a strategic regional partner but also as a trusted ally on European integration and security matters. It also underlines Italy’s growing role as Albania’s primary European supporter.

Context: Following the execution of national anthems and a one-on-one meeting between Rama and Meloni, the two prime ministers witnessed the signing of a Strategic Cooperation Agreement, setting the foundation for long-term collaboration in:

• Healthcare
• Energy and environment
• Migration management
• Defense and cybersecurity
• Innovation and education
• Diaspora affairs
• Economic transformation

Other notable agreements include a concessionary loan for civil protection, two patrol boats from the Italian Coast Guard for Albania’s naval force, and a landmark defense industry cooperation between Italy’s Fincantieri and Albania’s KAYO for the construction of vessels at the Pasha Liman naval yard.

Speaking the same language for a shared future: In an unusual diplomatic gesture, the entire session was held in Italian, with Rama and Meloni highlighting the cultural closeness between the two nations.

Meloni: “We were all a little moved to hear every single minister speak fluent Italian. It says everything about how close Italy has been to Albania.”

Rama: “There is no other government in the world outside Italy that conducts an entire joint meeting in Italian. Only ours.”

Major projects and strategic alignment: The summit focused heavily on energy infrastructure, particularly a planned undersea interconnector between the Albanian and Italian coasts, which will enable the transfer of solar and wind power. Rama announced that this project, backed by the UAE, is just the beginning of broader cooperation that may soon involve Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, and Italy.

Meloni, meanwhile, emphasized Corridor VIII and the integration of Adriatic trade routes.

Meloni: “This is a day that will be remembered as historic for our bilateral relations.”

Support for EU accession and migration deal: Rama reiterated his belief that Albania will finalize EU membership negotiations by 2027, and fully join the Union by 2028, when Italy holds the rotating presidency of the European Council.

Rama: “It will be the cherry on top if Giorgia will lead the Council when Albania joins. I have no doubt she’ll still be prime minister then — and I’m usually right.”

He also signaled Albania’s willingness to join the EU without voting rights if that speeds up accession.

Rama: “We’re ready to enter without veto or vote. We just want in.”

On migration, Meloni acknowledged the delays in implementing the Shëngjin and Gjadër camps, part of a bilateral migrant agreement. She tied the delays to the EU-wide asylum reform and promised renewed efforts.

Meloni: “The protocol will work once the EU asylum pact is in place. The partnership with Albania is a model.”

Rama, for his part, reaffirmed unwavering support for Italy:

Rama: “I would say yes to Italy 100 times. From any other country, that request would get a no.”

What’s next: Meloni announced a joint business forum in six months, focused on industrial cooperation, signaling the next phase of economic partnership.

Meloni: “We will bring together the productive systems of our two countries. The future is built together.”