Albanian President Bajram Begaj and Italian President Sergio Mattarella received the mayors of all Arbëreshë municipalities in Italy at the Quirinal Palace in Rome. The meeting highlighted the community’s enduring role in Albanian-Italian relations and its contribution to their shared European heritage.

Begaj described the Arbëreshë as the foundation of the brotherhood between the two nations. He thanked Mattarella for bringing the communities together and praised Italy as a trusted ally, strategic partner and strong supporter of Albania’s European Union membership aspirations.

The Albanian president also stressed the importance of preserving identity while integrating into the host society. He pointed to the contributions of both the historic Arbëreshë community and Albanians who have settled in Italy in recent decades, noting their roles in Italian economic, social, academic and cultural life. Their experience, he said, shows that integration and the preservation of cultural roots can reinforce one another.

Begaj urged the Arbëreshë mayors to pass on their language, traditions, rituals and culture to younger generations. The meeting concluded with the two presidents exchanging decorations in recognition of the friendship and strategic alliance between Albania and Italy.

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