Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has confidently dismissed critiques surrounding a landmark agreement to relocate migrants for processing in Albania, marking a first for Europe that is garnering keen attention from fellow leaders across the continent.
Yesterday, Italy took a significant step by transferring the inaugural group of migrants to processing centers—specifically, 16 individuals hailing from Egypt and Bangladesh—who are slated to arrive in Albania tomorrow.
“This is a bold and innovative approach, reflective of the genuine European spirit, and it sets a precedent that could inspire similar initiatives with non-EU nations,” Ms. Meloni asserted.
This initiative precedes an important European Union summit in Brussels, where migration will be a primary discussion point.
The two processing centers established in Albania will operate under Italian legislation, staffed by Italian personnel and secured by Italian authorities. Judges situated in Rome will handle cases via video conferencing.
Yet, this ambitious plan has drawn skepticism from human rights organizations, who question the adequacy of protections afforded to asylum seekers. “The first individuals arriving at Italy’s new detention facilities ought to receive far better treatment than being subjected to what is essentially a perilous political trial,” expressed Susanna Zanfrini, the Italian director for the International Rescue Committee, a humanitarian organization.
“Even with these new centers opening, critical questions linger regarding how Italy plans to safeguard individuals’ rights outside the jurisdiction of the EU,” she added.
Ms. Meloni maintains that Italy is setting an exemplary standard for other nations in navigating the complexities of irregular migration.
Italy’s Mediterranean coastline has historically been a magnet for migrants aiming to reach Europe. The Brothers of Italy, Ms. Meloni’s post-fascist party, vowed to stem the tide of arrivals during the 2022 national elections. In a bilateral agreement with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama back in November 2023, the decision to establish these asylum centers was formalized.
Speaking to the Senate in Rome, Ms. Meloni emphasized her administration’s role in paving the way for other nations to confront irregular immigration effectively. She also announced plans for an informal gathering at the upcoming EU summit to engage member states most invested in migration issues.
During talks in Luxembourg concerning Albania’s EU candidacy, Prime Minister Rama noted that while others have expressed interest, replicating this agreement may not be feasible. “We’ve received inquiries from various countries, but we have declined,” he told reporters, highlighting Albania’s deep-rooted connection with Italy.
In an effort to deter further irregular migration, the five-year agreement—projected to cost Italy €160 million annually—targets specific adult male migrants intercepted on Italian vessels in international waters, as long as they fall within Italy’s search and rescue jurisdiction.
Those relocated to Albania will come from countries classified as “safe,” a contentious designation that facilitates streamlined repatriation. However, critics argue that the processing capacity in Albania—initially estimated at around 3,000 migrants but now believed to be significantly lower—will not substantially impact the overall influx.
“In just the last three days, over 1,600 migrants have arrived on Italian shores. An Italian vessel is currently transporting 16 of them to Albania,” remarked Matteo Villa, a researcher with the ISPI think tank.
Opposition parliamentarian Laura Boldrini, representing the centre-left Democratic Party, characterized the Albania proposal as mere “propaganda,” designed to divert attention from the Meloni government’s immigration missteps and unmet campaign commitments, including promises of a naval blockade and swift repatriation processes.
According to data from the interior ministry, nearly 160,000 migrants reached Italy last year, a sharp increase from 105,000 in the preceding year. However, arrivals have notably decreased in 2024, with 54,000 reported thus far compared to nearly 140,000 during the same stretch in 2023.
The government hopes that intercepting individuals at sea and sending them to Albania prior to their arrival in Italy will serve as a deterrent to future crossings.
Furthermore, Rome has taken steps to curb the operations of non-governmental rescue vessels operating in the Central Mediterranean.
As part of the new proposal, migrants will first be received at a facility in Shengjin, a northern Albanian port, for registration and health assessments before being transferred to the Gjader center for the processing of their asylum applications. This Gjader establishment, a labyrinth of prefabricated structures enclosed by towering walls and guarded by law enforcement, also houses a section designated for migrants whose asylum requests have been denied, along with a small detention area.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
