Italy

EU and NATO member. Relations date to 1912 and were restored after WWII at legation level in May 1949. Italy has a resident embassy in Tirana; Albania has an embassy in Rome.

Their ambassador Marco Alberti since 2025

Albania’s ambassador Anila Bitri since 2016

Foreign minister Antonio Tajani since 2022 FI

Head of government Giorgia Meloni since 2022

Relations since 1912

Public opinion (2025) 48% favour

Last activity 1y ago

National day 2 Jun

Milestones

1912 Diplomatic relations established — 1912 (year only), the year of Albania’s independence. Lapsed in WWI, resumed via an Albanian legation in Rome in the early 1920s, suspended again by the Italian occupation (1939–1944).↗
1949 Joined NATO — Founding member.↗
1949 Diplomatic relations resumed — May 1949 (month only), at legation level, after the Paris Peace Treaty (in force 15 September 1947). Italy’s envoy presented credentials in Tirana on 2 February 1954.↗
1958 Joined the European Union — Founding member (European Economic Community).↗

Ambassadors

Their ambassador to Albania

Marco Alberti current

since Jan. 24, 2025 · source

Previous (3)

Fabrizio Bucci

Jan. 8, 2020 – Jan. 24, 2025 · source
Alberto Cutillo

Nov. 18, 2015 – Jan. 8, 2020 · source
Massimo Gaiani

Dec. 5, 2011 – Nov. 16, 2015 · source

Albania's ambassador to them

Anila Bitri current

since Jan. 1, 2016 · source (archived)

Previous (2)

Neritan Ceka

Jan. 1, 2013 – Jan. 1, 2016 · source (archived)
Llesh Kola

Jan. 1, 2006 – Jan. 1, 2013 · source (archived)

Consular posts

Career consulates general and consulates — separate from the resident embassy. Honorary consulates are not tracked.

Albania's posts in Italy

Bari Consulate general

Consul General: Arjan Vasjari

opening date not recorded · source

Milan Consulate general

Consul General: Anila Pojani

opening date not recorded · source

Italy's posts in Albania

Vlorë Consulate general

Consul General: Achille Provenzano

opening date not recorded · source (archived)

Foreign ministers & heads of state/government

Head of state

Sergio Mattarella current

since Feb. 3, 2015 · source

Head of government

Giorgia Meloni current

since Oct. 22, 2022 · source

Foreign minister

Antonio Tajani current FI

since Oct. 22, 2022 · source

Previous (5)

Luigi Di Maio

Sept. 5, 2019 – Oct. 22, 2022
Enzo Moavero Milanesi

June 1, 2018 – Sept. 5, 2019
Angelino Alfano

Dec. 12, 2016 – June 1, 2018
Paolo Gentiloni

Oct. 31, 2014 – Dec. 12, 2016
Federica Mogherini

Feb. 22, 2014 – Oct. 31, 2014

Visits

Split by direction and by ministry/portfolio, so non-MFA contact stays visible.

Their visits to Albania

June 5, 2024

Giorgia Meloni

Head of government Foreign Affairs

PM Meloni toured the Gjadër and Shëngjin centres with Interior Minister Piantedosi to review construction progress.

Albania's visits to them

Nov. 6, 2023

Edi Rama

Head of government Foreign Affairs

PM Rama in Rome; signing of the Italy–Albania Protocol on migration with PM Meloni.

Outcome: Protocol signed: Italy to run two migrant-processing centres (Shëngjin, Gjadër) on Albanian soil, up to ~3,000 people at a time.

Agreements

Every fact here cites a source. The chip after each marks how well-attested it is: primary official media unverified.

Protocol Between Italy And Albania For Strengthening Cooperation In Migration Matters

Other In force

signed Nov. 6, 2023 · in force Feb. 21, 2024 · source ↗ official

Establishes two Italian-administered facilities on Albanian territory (Shëngjin, Gjadër) for processing the asylum claims of certain migrants picked up by Italian authorities in international waters, under Italian and EU law. Five-year term, renewable. Operational from 2024; repeatedly contested before Italian courts and the Court of Justice of the EU.
Treaty Of Friendship And Cooperation Between The Italian Republic And The Republic Of Albania

Other In force

signed Oct. 13, 1995 · in force Oct. 5, 2000 · source ↗ official

Framework treaty of the bilateral relationship: political consultation, economic and cultural cooperation, and Italian support for Albania's integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structures. The umbrella under which the dense Italy–Albania sectoral treaty network sits.
Convention Between The Italian Republic And The Republic Of Albania For The Avoidance Of Double Taxation With Respect To Taxes On Income And On Capital And For The Prevention Of Fiscal Evasion

Economic In force

signed Dec. 12, 1994 · in force Dec. 21, 1999 · source ↗ official

OECD-model tax treaty allocating taxing rights over cross-border income and capital, with relief from double taxation, exchange of information and a mutual-agreement procedure. Done at Tirana.
Agreement Between The Government Of The Italian Republic And The Government Of The Republic Of Albania On The Promotion And Protection Of Investments

Economic In force

signed Sept. 12, 1991 · in force Jan. 29, 1996 · source ↗ official

Reciprocal investment-protection treaty (national/MFN treatment, protection against uncompensated expropriation, free transfer of returns, investor–state and state–state dispute settlement). One of the first treaties of the post-communist era between the two states.

Public opinion

How the public in this country feels about Albania joining the EU.

Wave	Fielded	In favour	Opposed	Don't know
Special Eurobarometer 564 ↗	March 1, 2025	48%	47%	5%

Independent personal project by Idlir Sulstarova, compiled solely from publicly available sources. Not affiliated with, endorsed by or produced on behalf of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania or any government, and does not represent their views. Not an official document. Source: albaniandiplomacy.com, 26 September 2026.