Albanian restaurant honors Italy’s Meloni as migrants arrive under deal

As Italy dispatched a first group of asylum seekers to Albania on Wednesday under a new deal between Rome and Tirana, one eatery in the port town where they arrived found cause for celebration.

Trattoria Meloni in Shengjin is a colorful ode to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, despite the controversy surrounding the deal which sees Albania house migrants on Italy's behalf while their asylum applications are processed.

"I love Meloni. I love her, because Meloni is the only voice in Europe that tells the truth, that's why I love her," said restaurant owner Gjergj Luca.

The restaurant's walls are covered with dozens of paintings of Meloni by Albanian artist Helidon Haliti. In one she embraces Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama. In another she wears large earrings and stares skywards, as if in prayer.

"More than 20 years ago, from this port, Albanians...