In an unprecedented diplomatic gesture, Italy’s government has cleared the restaurant bill of four Italian visitors who fled Albania without paying.

The dash and dine in Berat grabbed news in both nations.

The commotion spurred Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama to bring it up with his Italian counterpart, Giorgia Meloni, who was visiting the nation at the time.

She replied by asking her envoy to “go and pay the bill for these idiots,” according to La Stampa.

The Italian embassy in Albania acknowledged in a statement that it had paid the cost on behalf of its citizens, which was allegedly roughly €80 (£68).

“The Italians respect the rules and pay off their debts and we hope that episodes of this kind will not happen again,” it said.

Italy’s agriculture minister and Ms Meloni’s brother-in-law, Francesco Lollobrigida, was also on the trip to Albania and told the Reuters news agency that paying the bill was a matter of pride.

“A few dishonest individuals cannot embarrass a nation of decent people,” he said.

It is unknown when the event occurred, but surveillance footage of the group leaving the restaurant and strolling into the night has gone popular on social media.

According to the restaurant owner, it was the first time clients had left his company without paying, and the four Italians had even complemented the meal.