Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni extended gratitude to Albania for endorsing a contentious migration agreement. The accord is designed to redirect asylum seekers crossing the Mediterranean to processing centers in Albania.
The agreement garnered approval from Albania’s parliament on Thursday, securing 77 votes in favor out of 140 MPs. Despite support from Albania’s Socialist Party majority and three opposition MPs, the Democratic Party led opposition expressed concerns about potential compromises on Albanian sovereignty.
Prime Minister Edi Rama defended the agreement through social media, emphasizing that no country can solve such a challenge alone. He portrayed Albania’s cooperation as demonstrating the “European spirit” in addressing a complex regional issue.
Under the terms of the pact, Italy will establish a migrant identification center capable of accommodating up to 3,000 individuals in Gjader, Albania. Additionally, a smaller processing center will be established at Shengjin port for initial intake before transfer to Gjader.
Italy will be responsible for transporting migrants between the centers and managing security within them, while Albania will oversee external security. However, vulnerable groups such as women, children, and the disabled are excluded from the arrangement.
The pact faced controversy in both countries, with opposition boycotts and petitions in Albania and criticism from Italy’s Catholic Bishops’ Conference. However, it was ultimately approved by Italy’s Senate on February 15th.
Following ratification, Prime Minister Meloni expressed appreciation via social media to Prime Minister Rama and the Albanian government for their friendship and collaborative efforts.
This bilateral cooperation between Italy and Albania aims to alleviate the strain of processing asylum claims amid the ongoing migrant crisis. However, the contentious nature of the agreement highlights the ongoing debate surrounding reconciling national interests with regional challenges.