2m-tall Prime Minister Kneels to 157cm-tall Prime Minister Meloni: "So Close They Even Spend Vacations Together"

by Kim Hyunjeong2

Published 18 May.2025 14:13(KST)

Updated 19 May.2025 07:39(KST)

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2-Meter-Tall Albanian Prime Minister Shows Consideration for 157 cm Meloni
Previously Spent Vacation Together and Gave Birthday Gift

The Albanian Prime Minister, who stands over 2 meters tall, knelt down to welcome Giorgia Meloni, the Italian Prime Minister, who is 157 cm tall.

Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania, is welcoming Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy, who attended the European Political Community (EPC) summit held in Tirana, Albania. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

On May 16 (local time), The Times of the UK reported that Edi Rama, the Prime Minister of Albania, gave a passionate welcome to Prime Minister Meloni, who attended the European Political Community (EPC) summit held in Tirana, Albania, by kneeling before her. As Prime Minister Meloni walked down the red carpet toward the summit venue, Prime Minister Rama set his umbrella on the ground, knelt down on one knee, and greeted Meloni with his hands clasped together in a gesture resembling prayer.

Upon seeing this, Prime Minister Meloni laughed and said, "Edi, don't," trying to dissuade him, and soon after, the two leaders greeted each other with an embrace. Addressing the photographers, Meloni explained, "He just did it to match my height." Prime Minister Rama, a former basketball player, is known to be 6 feet 7 inches (200.6 cm) tall, while Prime Minister Meloni is 5 feet 2 inches (157.5 cm).

Italy and Albania have maintained a close relationship. In November 2023, Italy signed a migrant agreement with Albania and built migrant reception centers at Shengjin Port in northern Albania and the nearby area of Zader. Italy has also supported Albania's accession to the European Union (EU). Prime Minister Rama, who pledged to join the EU by 2030, recently secured his fourth consecutive term.

Albanian Prime Minister Rama kneeling to welcome Prime Minister Meloni. Photo by AP Yonhap News

Prime Minister Rama (left) and Prime Minister Meloni are embracing. Photo by AP

Prime Minister Meloni and Prime Minister Rama also share a close personal relationship. In 2023, Prime Minister Meloni spent her summer vacation in Albania with Prime Minister Rama.

This is not the first time Prime Minister Rama has knelt before Prime Minister Meloni. On January 15, during a summit held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), he also knelt before Meloni and presented her with a scarf as a birthday gift, even singing a birthday song for her. Jokingly, he exclaimed, "Your Majesty, happy birthday." On her 48th birthday, Prime Minister Meloni laughed and replied, "You really are a unique person."