Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama knelt to greet Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the European Political Summit in Tirana. As Meloni arrived, Rama set aside his umbrella, knelt on one knee, and greeted her with a ‘namaste,’ eliciting laughter and a surprised “Edi, no!” from her. This isn’t the first time Rama has made such a gesture; he previously knelt before Meloni at a summit in Abu Dhabi and celebrated her birthday with a song and a scarf. The camaraderie between the two leaders underscores the close diplomatic ties between Albania and Italy.
Rama’s theatrical welcome set a jovial tone for the summit, which brought together over 40 European leaders to discuss pressing issues, including Ukraine and migration. His actions, including humorous remarks about the weather and AI-generated baby images of the leaders, added a touch of levity to the proceedings.
Albanian humour and humility
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama brought charm and wit to the European Political Community summit in Tirana, playfully engaging with world leaders as he welcomed them. Greeting French President Emmanuel Macron with a cheeky “Here’s the Sun King,” Rama set the tone for a summit infused with light moments amid serious discussions.
Not missing a beat, Rama aimed another good-natured jab at the British delegation. Referring to a sudden shift in Tirana’s weather, he joked, “There was suspicion, but it’s now scientific fact from the European weather forecast institute that yesterday’s rain—unlike our usual sunshine—arrived with the British delegation.”
While Ukraine dominated the summit’s agenda, with parallel peace talks unfolding in Istanbul, Rama took a moment to reflect on the significance of the gathering for Albania. “It’s true I may be the tallest among them,” he told AFP, “but I come from one of the smallest countries. Hosting this summit is a great honour for us.”