In order to accommodate asylum seekers, the Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Tuesday announced Italy’s new agreement to establish centres in Albania. According to Meloni, the move “could become a model of cooperation between EU and non-EU countries in managing migration flows.”
“I am pleased to announce with Albanian prime minister Edi Rama a memorandum of understanding between Italy and Albania concerning the management of migration flows,” said Meloni.
The agreement involves setting up centres in Albania that can accommodate up to 3,000 people.
However, the move has sparked a controversy in Europe and has been heavily criticised by Italy's opposition parties, who have described it as a "mess".
Italy is planning to set up one of its centre at the north-western Albanian port of Shengjin, where the identification process will take place. The screening centre is also likely to be set up in the port, reported The Guardian.
For rest of the procedures, a second centre will be set up in Gjader. The authorities are planning to host people rescued at seas, excluding asylum seekers who arrive on Italian shores and territory.
Germany on Tuesday agreed on a tougher migration policy and new funding for refugees with the heads of nations's 16 states.
Meloni had stated that the centres will be under Italian jurisdiction.
The agreement will be scrutinised by the European Union, which will assess its admissibility.
Germany agrees tougher migration policy
Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government has agreed to adopt measures to make it easier to deport migrants and to make the country a less attractive destination in contrast to Berlin's perceived open-door policy under former Chancellor Angela Merkel, reported Reuters.
The government agreed to pay the states and muncipalities 7,500 euros for each refugee from next year and to make an advance payment of 1.75 billion euros in the first half of 2024.
Scholz called the agreement as a 'historic moment'.
Meanwhile, expressing concerns on migrants issue, Sweden called for boosting efforts on security and implementing an effective migration returns policy. In a letter to the EU, Sweden urged EU members to take necessary steps.
Gunnar Strömmer, Sweden’s minister for justice, together with minister for migration Maria Malmer Stenergard, said “it is of utmost importance for the over-arching future security of the EU zone that the EU reaches an agreement on the EU pact on migration and asylum.”
