Diplomacy meets spectacle in Tirana
With a playful kneel before Italy’s Giorgia Meloni and a warm bear hug for France’s Emmanuel Macron, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama transformed what could have been a routine diplomatic gathering into a colorful spectacle Friday, despite torrential downpours in Tirana.
Fresh from securing his fourth term in office just days earlier—after campaigning on a pledge to bring Albania into the European Union by 2030—Rama seized the opportunity to showcase his distinctive personality while hosting more than 40 European leaders for the European Political Community (EPC) summit.
“From Tirana, where all of Europe has come today and where the whole world will be watching, I say hello to you,” the prime minister wrote on Instagram ahead of the high-profile gathering.
Theatrical greetings capture attention
The towering statesman, who stands two meters (six-foot seven-inches) tall, kicked off proceedings by twirling a navy blue umbrella on a bright red carpet, sporting the EPC’s star-shaped logo on both his necktie and his trademark sneakers.
When Italian Prime Minister Meloni arrived, Rama dropped dramatically to one knee—a gesture he often reserves for his Italian “sister”—while making a special point of personally escorting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the opera building where the discussions were scheduled.
Upon Macron’s arrival, as the clouds briefly parted, Rama quipped, “Here’s the Sun King” before embracing the French president and walking alongside him into the venue.
British delegation blamed for rain
After days of sunshine in the Albanian capital, the prime minister couldn’t resist a lighthearted jab at the British contingent, suggesting they might have brought the inclement weather with them.
“There was a suspicion, but it became scientific proof from the European weather forecast institute that the persisting—and not indigenous—rain was brought by the British delegation yesterday morning,” Rama told the assembled leaders, drawing laughter.
Serious topics await playful opening
The EPC summit, conceived by Macron following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, brings together EU member states and 20 additional countries. Despite the lighthearted opening, the gathering addressed critical issues including the ongoing Ukraine conflict—particularly significant given concurrent meetings between Russian and Ukrainian officials in Istanbul—and migration challenges.
Before discussions began in earnest, Rama emphasized his enthusiasm for the European project and Albania’s place within it.
“It’s true that I am the tallest among them, but I lead a country that is one of the smallest, and for us it’s already a big honour to have the opportunity to host this summit,” Rama told AFP in an interview Thursday.
AI-generated welcome breaks diplomatic norms
In a departure from typical diplomatic protocols, summit attendees were treated to an unusual opening presentation: AI-generated images of each leader reimagined as babies—some still sporting their signature beards and spectacles—with each declaring: “Welcome to Albania.”
The creative greeting elicited smiles and laughter from the distinguished guests, further cementing Rama’s reputation as one of Europe’s most unconventional political figures.
