Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has said his recent remarks about ancient philosophers and modern Greeks were misinterpreted by Greek media, stressing that his comments were made in a spirit of “friendly humor.”
Rama addressed the issue in a post on X on Friday, following reactions in Greece to statements he made during a panel discussion with Greek-American journalist John Defterios at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.
During the discussion, Rama said that Greeks often “underestimate others” because they believe they hold a “monopoly on philosophy” and see themselves as the “direct heirs of Plato and Aristotle,” adding, “but you are not.”
In his response, Rama said he was “truly surprised by the reaction of some media outlets in Athens and a Greek politician regarding a report of mine, which was anything but prejudiced, and which was imbued with friendly humor.”
“It is incredible how a phrase formulated with humor is completely taken out of context and turned into a tool for public attack with nationalistic passion – something that, unfortunately, often happens in the Athens media,” he added.
The Albanian prime minister sought to clarify his position, emphasizing his respect for Greek history and culture. He said he had “not the slightest doubt that Plato and Aristotle are Greek philosophers and that Ancient Greece is the cradle of European civilization,” adding that Greek civilization “deserves only admiration,” not only for its ancient philosophers but also for its poets, writers, filmmakers, and musicians.
Rama also underlined the importance of Greek-Albanian relations, saying Greece is a country for which he has “the most positive feelings” and describing the Greek people as “an irreplaceable neighbor, a brother of the Albanian people.” He added that he holds “a special respect for the Greek prime minister.”
However, Rama added that those who were offended by his humor and who “write and speak Greek with nationalist passion” cannot, in his view, be considered descendants of Plato and Aristotle.