Prime Minister Edi Rama said Italy is Albania’s “European alter ego” during a visit to Naples, where he attended the inauguration of Albania’s Honorary Consulate.
Rama said the new consulate represents more than a diplomatic office. He described it as a bridge between the two countries and highlighted the strong historical and human ties between Albanians and Italians.
“We are here today not simply to open a consulate in the narrow sense of the word, but to open a door between two realities that have historically been very close and are, on a human level, very, very similar,” Rama said.
The prime minister underlined the strategic relationship between Albania and Italy. However, he stressed that the ties between the two countries go beyond economic and political partnership.
“Italy is not just that. Italy is our European alter ego,” Rama said.
Referring to Naples, Rama drew a comparison with Albania. He described the Italian city as a mirror of Albanians on the other side of the Adriatic.
“Naples is our mirror on this side of the sea, because we are the Neapolitans of the other side. We are proud to be so and we do not want to become Milanese, so to speak,” Rama said.
Rama also expressed his satisfaction with the inauguration of the Honorary Consulate and with seeing the Albanian flag displayed alongside the Italian flag.
“I am very happy to experience this moment of joy, this moment when, although we are not, let us say, proclaiming the Albanian Republic of Naples, we have nevertheless opened a door together where the Albanian flag stands. I am always happy when I see it next to the Italian flag,” Rama said.
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