Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama was received with an official ceremony in Rome by his Italian counterpart, Giorgia Meloni, as the two countries held their first-ever joint government meeting.

The summit marks a new stage in the strengthening of bilateral cooperation, with a focus on economic development, energy, defence, and infrastructure.

Ahead of the meeting, Prime Minister Rama announced that 16 agreements and memoranda of understanding would be signed, reflecting what both governments have described as a “strategic partnership” between Albania and Italy.

Among the agreements are initiatives covering healthcare, energy, the environment, education, innovation, civil protection, and cybersecurity. Cooperation will also extend to defence and maritime security, including partnerships involving Italian companies Leonardo and Fincantieri.

Other accords aim to boost economic development through financial instruments from Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, SIMEST, and AIDA, supporting Albanian small and medium-sized enterprises.

Cultural collaboration is also on the agenda, with a cooperation agreement between Italy’s MAXXI Foundation and Albanian art institutions.

The meeting underscores Rome and Tirana’s commitment to deepening political, economic, and cultural ties, as well as to strengthening joint efforts in security and migration management across the Mediterranean.