The construction of two Italian migrant detention centers in Albania is currently underway, with the facilities expected to open in August. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama signed a five-year deal in November to cooperate on handling asylum seekers in Italy. Under the agreement, Albania will detain up to three thousand migrants rescued from international waters each month, while Italy processes their asylum claims, which are expected to take around a month to complete. This could result in Albania receiving up to 36,000 asylum seekers annually. One center is being constructed in Gjader, a former military airport located 80km from Tirana, while a second center in Shengjin is nearing completion.
Despite the controversial nature of the plan, with concerns raised by human rights groups and opposition lawmakers, Italian PM Meloni defended it as essential to her policy of cracking down on migration and deterring refugees from crossing the dangerous Mediterranean. Amnesty International criticized the deal as “dangerous” and “shameful”. Meloni described the agreement as “extremely innovative” and stated that other EU countries were interested in potentially adopting a similar approach. However, sending asylum seekers outside the EU, to a non-member like Albania, has stirred controversy. Despite this, Italy will retain legal responsibility for the migrants detained in Albania and will coordinate their deportations if they are denied international protection.
The initiative to partner with Albania was introduced last July as a response to the challenge of managing the high number of arrivals in Italy and the overcrowding in processing centers. Prior to this agreement, Italy had sought help from other EU nations to address the influx of migrants. Meloni’s focus on curbing illegal migration is a key component of her political agenda, despite a rise in migrant arrivals compared to the previous year. The construction of detention centers in Albania is seen as a way to expedite asylum applications and alleviate the strain on Italian facilities. The agreement with Albania has raised concerns about potential compromises to refugee protections and human rights, but Meloni remains steadfast in her commitment to reducing illegal migration into Italy.
The location of the two centers, in Gjader and Shengjin, highlights Albania’s role in supporting Italy’s efforts to manage the arrival of asylum seekers. The centers are strategically positioned to handle the flow of migrants rescued from international waters and provide a temporary solution while their asylum claims are processed. Asylum seekers will be detained in secure facilities surrounded by high fences to prevent unauthorized access. Despite the criticisms and reservations about the deal, Meloni views it as an innovative and effective approach to addressing the challenges of migration in the region. The involvement of Albania in this process signifies a joint effort between the two countries to manage the issues related to asylum seekers and provide a more organized system for processing claims.
The details of the deal, including the number of migrants to be detained in Albania each month and the cooperation between the two countries in managing the asylum process, demonstrate a significant step towards addressing the complex issue of migration. The agreement signifies a commitment to finding solutions that balance the concerns of both countries while upholding international standards for the treatment of asylum seekers. The partnership between Italy and Albania reflects a proactive approach to managing migration flows and demonstrates a willingness to collaborate on innovative solutions. Despite the controversy surrounding the construction of detention centers in Albania, the agreement represents a strategic initiative to address the challenges posed by illegal migration and refugee protection in the region.
