For the first time, a joint meeting will be held tomorrow between the Albanian and Italian governments, a meeting that marks the highest level of cooperation between the two countries. The meeting will take place in Rome, the traditional Italian venue for bilateral meetings.
Albania and Italy enjoy a large number of signed agreements or jointly developed projects, in areas such as defense, health, technology, infrastructure, economy, and even support for Albania towards membership in the European Union.
At the end of October, the government approved in principle a cooperation agreement with Italy for at least 10 sectors. This agreement is expected to be signed between Prime Minister Edi Rama and his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni.
Ten ministers of the Albanian Government, together with Prime Minister Edi Rama, will travel to Rome. At 11:40, a meeting is scheduled between Edi Rama and the Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni.
At 12:30, the joint meeting will begin with the participation of delegations from both countries, while around 14:00, the signing of several agreements and memorandums in areas such as: defense and security, energy, migration, civil protection, health, environment, economic development and infrastructure is expected.
The Albanian delegation that will participate in the joint meeting consists of:
• Belinda Balluku, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy
• Elisa Spiropali, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs
• Besfort Lamallari, Minister of Justice
• Albana Koçiu, Minister of Internal Affairs
• Pirro Vengu, Minister of Defense
• Evis Sala, Minister of Health and Social Protection
• Delina Ibrahimaj, Minister of Economy and Innovation
• Blendi Gonxhja, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports
• Sofjan Jaupaj, Minister of Environment
• Adea Pirdeni, Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption
The same sources report that at least 5 ministries will sign cooperation agreements with Italy.
Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Defense
Ministry of Health
Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEFJ) – a cybersecurity agreement
Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy – financing agreement for the northern electricity network
The close relations between Albania and Italy date back to ancient times, while a series of cooperations have expanded the spectrum of interaction between them. Italy has held other joint meetings with EU member states, but this is the first time it will sit at a joint table with a country within the Union.