The first group of migrants has been transferred from Lampedusa to Albania aboard the Navy ship Libra, marking the start of a new initiative led by Italy’s Ministry of the Interior. This effort, announced by Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, aims to relieve pressure on Italy’s migrant facilities by relocating individuals to newly established centers in Albania. Last week, the centers in Schengjin and Gjiader were prepared and made operational to receive the transferred migrants.
Minister Piantedosi had previously stated that the transfer of migrants would begin soon, with the first group being sent to the Albanian centers. The centers in Schengjin and Gjiader are equipped to process and accommodate the migrants, who will undergo a series of interviews and assessments upon arrival.
The facility in Schengjin is under strict security measures, ensuring that the migrants remain within the facility while their asylum applications are processed. Offices have been set up in Schengjin to handle the initial interviews and documentation required to begin the examination of asylum claims. This center serves as the entry point for all transferred individuals before further decisions are made about their future status.
Once the preliminary procedures are completed in Schengjin, eligible migrants will be transferred to the Gjiader facility. Gjiader functions similarly to a Repatriation Detention Center (CPR), where migrants who pass the initial assessments at Schengjin will be housed. This system allows for a streamlined process, ensuring that only those who meet the requirements are relocated to the appropriate centers for further action.
This transfer marks an important step in the Italian government’s efforts to manage the ongoing migration crisis, offering a solution that alleviates the strain on Italy’s reception infrastructure. The collaboration with Albania is part of broader efforts to find sustainable and secure methods for managing migrant arrivals and processing asylum applications.