In a heartfelt and symbolic gesture, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama welcomed Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni with a kneeling 'namaste' as she arrived at the European Political Community (EPC) Summit held in Tirana on Friday. The gesture, made on Meloni's 48th birthday, caught global attention and left her visibly surprised.
Rama, who recently secured a fourth term after campaigning to bring Albania into the European Union by 2030, celebrated Meloni’s birthday by serenading her with “Tanti Auguri” and presenting her with a special scarf crafted by an Italian artisan living in Albania.
The summit, attended by European Union leaders and 20 other nations, focused on unity and support for Ukraine. PM Meloni was also seen guiding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the venue. Rama, known for his charismatic diplomacy, greeted French President Emmanuel Macron with a humorous “Here’s the Sun King” as the skies cleared.
Ahead of the summit, Rama shared his excitement on social media, saying, “From Tirana, where all of Europe has come today and where the whole world will be watching, I say hello to you.”
The EPC Summit in Tirana underscored Albania's growing role in European diplomacy and Rama's efforts to portray his country as a committed European partner despite its small size.
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