Albania’s Constitutional Court said on Monday that a deal with Italy could go ahead under which thousands of migrants rescued at sea by Italian authorities would be sent to Albania while their asylum claims are processed.
Albania’s Democratic Party has challenged the agreement in court, saying it violates the constitution by ceding territory and state power to another country. The UN human rights chief also said last week that the plan raised concerns about arbitrary detention and living conditions.
The draft has sparked comparisons with the British government’s plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, which was challenged by the UK Supreme Court. Brussels has said the Italian plans do not violate European Union law.
Albania’s Constitutional Court ruled on Monday that the deal was “in line with the constitution” and said it could now be ratified in parliament. The agreement, endorsed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen but widely criticised by human rights groups, is part of Giorgia Meloni’s efforts to share the work of addressing migration with other European countries.
Under the deal, two centres will be set up in Albania to handle asylum claims for people rescued by Italian authorities in international waters.
Italy’s lower house of parliament approved the deal last week and it now awaits consideration by the Senate.
One camp will screen migrants on arrival and a second will detain them while asylum applications are processed, officials said.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the migrants would then be allowed to enter Italy or be repatriated.
Under a five-year agreement with Italy, Albania will accept up to 3,000 migrants at one time. Given that it takes about a month to process asylum requests, the number of asylum seekers travelling to Albania could reach 36,000 per year.
