Rama to 'Corriere della Serra': Albanians in debt to Italy, for Gjadri and support for integration

2025-11-16 17:14:00, Politikë CNA

Rama to 'Corriere della Serra': Albanians in debt to Italy, for Gjadri

Prime Minister Edi Rama has given an interview to the renowned Italian media outlet "Corriere della Serra".

Rama spoke about two important issues between Albania and Italy: the migration agreement and cooperation for the country's European integration.

Rama emphasized the very good relationship between the two countries and the 'Big Sister' as he calls Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, while adding that the migration pact will evolve and Italy's support for the country's journey to the EU is part of a European reunification.

Prime Minister Edi Rama's interview for 'Corriere della Sera':

Prime Minister, what is the context of Albanian-Italian relations for the meeting between the two governments in Rome?

"The summit between the two governments is a historic development in the close strategic relations between Albania and Italy. It opens new perspectives for cooperation in key areas of mutual interest, such as energy, defense and border security, as well as on a geopolitical level, of course."

There has been much discussion about the centers for Italian immigrants set up in northern Albania: what is the current status of these centers?

"I have nothing to add except what your Prime Minister has explained very well."

(“Not everyone has understood the validity of the model” of the protocol on migrants – said the Prime Minister at the joint press conference – “many have worked to slow it down or block it, but we are determined to move forward” )

Prime Minister, can I ask: do these centers work, or does their model need to be reviewed?

"The new European Pact on Migration will show us how these centers will evolve. And the group of countries involved is considerable."

There have been numerous allegations regarding the management of these centers in Albania, especially regarding the considerable expenses incurred to treat so few migrants. Not to mention the legal issues. What is your response?

"Accusations have become an integral part of our lives, which are drowned every day by the endless mud of social media, while the dizzying speed with which the world of information moves makes it increasingly difficult to understand the truth, as the legs of lies have become even faster in circulation around the world. Albania has not invested a single euro in this project, so at least in this case we cannot be accused as usual."

What issues have the two countries been addressing together in recent months?

“Albania’s European membership as part of what Prime Minister Meloni rightly calls ‘European reunification’; joint projects in infrastructure, energy and the military; and, of course, the common front against trafficking and illegal immigration.”

Your country's accession to the European Union is currently pending: how far along are we?

"Albania is at a crucial moment. These days we are also opening the last chapter of the accession negotiations and we want to complete them by 2027."

What role do you expect Rome to play for Albania in this process?

“Italy is Albania’s traditional advocate in the EU. It is our strongest voice in Brussels. My country will never be able to repay Italy’s huge moral debt for everything it has done for us. Albanians will never forget that debt.”

Italy has emerged from years where it did not seem to be given much importance at the European level, due to political instability. What is Italy's role in Brussels today?

"Giorgia Meloni has raised Italy's representation on the international stage to a new level and this is now a globally widespread opinion. Everyone wants to know what the Italian prime minister thinks about every issue that concerns the international community."

With Donald Trump in the White House and the Russia-China-India strategic alliance, the EU seems stuck.

“Yes, that is true. But in a way, these developments represent a great opportunity for the European Union to reawaken.”

The Ukraine issue remains open. Has the time come for Kiev to cede its territories to Russia, as some are demanding, or is integrity a prerequisite for any negotiations?

“Albania fully supports the territorial integrity of Ukraine and no solution that affects its sovereign borders can be accepted as final. But at the same time, it is really worrying that Europe still does not have its own peace plan. And I sincerely hope that it will not be as late as the end of the war itself.” /CNA