Prime Minister Edi Rama used highly symbolic language at the opening ceremony of the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Albania in Naples, where he called Italy “our European alter ego” and presented the move as a further step in bringing the two countries closer together.
The ceremony in Naples and the political message
According to statements made at the ceremony, the opening of the Honorary Consulate in Naples was presented not simply as a formal diplomatic act, but as a sign of closeness between Albania and Italy.
Rama said that a strategic, solid and deep partnership exists between the two countries, while insisting on setting Italy apart from the usual diplomatic formulations about “key partners.”
“Italy is our European alter ego”
In his speech, the head of government described Italy as “our European alter ego,” a phrase carrying strong political and symbolic weight for the relationship between the two countries.
He argued that the Albania-Italy connection goes beyond the economic or political cooperation usually mentioned in official speeches.
The parallel with Naples
Part of Rama’s message focused on Naples, which he described as a reflection of Albania “from this side of the sea.”
Along the same lines, he said that Albanians are “the Neapolitans of the other side,” underscoring human and historical similarities between the Italian city and Albania.
The symbolism of “a new door”
According to the version presented by the prime minister, the ceremony was not only about opening a consulate in the narrow administrative sense, but about opening “a door” between two closely connected realities.
At the end of his speech, Rama said he sees it as a moment of joy that the Albanian flag stands beside the Italian one, while he also shared images from the ceremony on social media.
The opening of the Honorary Consulate in Naples was thus accompanied by a strong political and symbolic message from the head of government, relying more on the rhetoric of historical closeness than on any concrete announcement about services, competencies or practical impact for Albanian citizens in the area.