Italy will create two asylum centres in Albania to process illegal migrants coming from across the Mediterranean, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced on Monday, according to Remix News.
After meeting with her Albanian counterpart Edi Rama, Meloni spoke at a joint press conference in Rome, where she announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding on migration management. It will come into force by spring 2024.
Italy’s prime minister claimed the camps were designed to curb the surge of immigrants from the African mainland.
This is the first agreement of its kind, which is why it is of historic importance for Italy and for the European Union as a whole.
The Italian government will establish two camps in Albania to transport those who arrive in Italy during a maritime rescue operation. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the memorandum of understanding does not concern official rescue operations carried out by non-governmental organisations, but by the Italian authorities.
Meloni informed that the two camps can accommodate 3,000 people at a time. Women, children and vulnerable people arriving in Italy by sea rescue will not be allowed into the Albanian camps.
One camp will be built in the coastal area of Shengjin and the other one will be located in the town of Gjader. New arrivals will be processed in the former, and anyone deemed to have arrived without authorisation or a valid asylum claim will be transferred to the latter for deportation.
The Albanian Prime Minister acknowledged that Italy has been particularly affected by illegal immigration due to its geographical location, noting that Albania is ready to help.
Italy’s call was answered by Albania.
He noted that Albania is not a member of the EU, but still considers itself part of Europe and considers common problems from a European perspective.
