The meeting is led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama.
Driving the news: Fifteen agreements and technical deals are set to be signed, alongside a comprehensive intergovernmental accord meant to establish a stable and structured framework for bilateral relations.
Why it matters: The summit marks Italy’s intent to formalise its leadership role in the Western Balkans. In this region, Rome aims to combine strategic influence, migration management, and energy connectivity in line with EU priorities.
- The partnership strengthens Albania’s path to EU accession and cements its role as a critical bridge between the Adriatic and the broader European infrastructure network.
Between the lines:
- Migration cooperation remains the most politically visible front. The Italy–Albania migration protocol, signed last year, has become a model closely watched by Brussels as a potential blueprint for future EU deals.
- Energy and connectivity are central: both countries are positioning themselves as regional hubs, with projects like the European Corridor VIII linking the Adriatic to the Black Sea.
- Defence and security cooperation is expanding, reflecting Italy’s broader strategic interest in stabilising the Balkans amid regional hybrid threats and organised crime challenges.
By the numbers:
- Italy is Albania’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade exceeding €3 billion and accounting for 20% of Albania’s market share.
- The Italian delegation included nine ministers, signalling a whole-of-government approach.
The big picture: Rome’s renewed focus on Albania fits into Giorgia Meloni’s broader regional doctrine — a mix of pragmatic diplomacy, security engagement, and migration management designed to project Italy’s influence in the Mediterranean and the Balkans.
- It also comes as the EU prepares to open the final negotiation chapter for Albania’s accession, with Italy serving as its strongest advocate in Brussels.
What we’re watching:
- Whether the Italy–Albania model on migration will influence upcoming EU reforms.
- How the energy corridor projects progress, especially under EU connectivity frameworks.
- The following steps are in Albania’s EU accession process, which is likely to accelerate under Italian diplomatic sponsorship.
Today’s agenda:
- 11:30 — Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama arrives, followed by a bilateral meeting with Italian PM Giorgia Meloni.
- 12:25 — Signing ceremony for the intergovernmental agreement.
- 12:30 — Plenary session and working lunch with Ministers Antonio Tajani, Matteo Piantedosi, Carl Nordio, Guido Crosetto, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, Alessandro Giuli, Orazio Schillaci, and Sebastiano Musumeci.
- 14:00 — Exchange of technical agreements, attended by senior officials from CDP, Simest, Sace, Leonardo and Italy’s Civil Protection authority.
- 14:15 — Joint press statements (this article will be updated with leaders’ quotes).
