Thewesternbalkans
Acording to different information agencies, including Euroactiv, the Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi announced that a migrant processing centers set up in Albania as part of an agreement between Italy and Albania will start operating on 16 of October this year.
The minister said that, given the continued flow of migrants, it is “quite likely” that the first individuals will be transferred to the Albanian facilities in the coming days.
The minister also stressed that the Albanian facilities are comparable to those in Italy, clarifying that they are “light containment centres, not detention facilities (CPR).”
The two facilities under the agreement were originally due to open on 20 May, but the date was pushed back multiple times due to delays. Hot weather during the summer months and even several wildfires meant the Gjader site, which has 880 beds, was not made ready until 9 October. The other centre in Shengjin, which can accommodate around 200 people, will carry out identification and registration procedures to relieve the burden on Italian reception centres.
They will remain in closed centers while their applications are processed, and when a decision is made, they will be transferred either to Italy, home, or a third country. The site remains under Italian jurisdiction and will be guarded internally by Italian authorities.
UNHCR staff will monitor the centers to ensure that migrants’ rights are respected and migrants will have access to healthcare and legal assistance.
Meanwhile, the EU’s Court of Justice could review the deal after a recent but non-binding ruling on 4 October that struck down Italy’s designation of “safe countries of origin”, casting doubt on the legal framework underpinning the Italy-Albania agreement.
The media and the opposition have criticised the deal for a lack of transparency in contract management. An investigation by the Domani newspaper revealed that over €60 million was awarded without a tender.
The investigation has sparked a reaction from Italian opposition parties, who are now demanding clarity on how public funds were used to build two migrant detention centres in Albania. Both the Green and Left Alliance and the Democratic Party have announced plans for a parliamentary inquiry.
Albanian migrant processing centers are set to welcome the first guests on 16 of October 2024 as an Italian Navy vessel, Libra, set off from Lampedusa on Monday.
Initial checks were carried out on board to ensure that the migrants met the criteria of the recently agreed Albania-Italy protocol, which states that they must be from safe countries, adult males and not considered vulnerable. The majority of the migrants are reported to be from Egypt and Bengal.
Vulnerable individuals, including women, children, the sick, and those who have suffered torture, were instead taken to Lampedusa and integrated into Italy’s regular asylum system.
Once in Albania, the migrants’ asylum claims will be processed under the legal framework of Italy and the European Union.
Those referred to Albania will receive a decision on their claims within four weeks, and if they are granted asylum, will be returned to Italy and placed in reception centres. If their claims are rejected, they will be returned to their home countries.
Many are concerned about the backlog of unprocessed asylum claims in Italy and question why the claims of those transferred to Albania should be given priority over those who have been waiting in Italy for months.
Comments: In November, last year Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama agreed to set up Italian-run migrant processing centres in Albania. The agreement is initially for five years with a possible five-year extension and allows Italy to transfer migrants rescued by Italian ships, but not by international NGOs, directly to the two newly built centres in Albania.
This externalisation of border control has been well received by the European Union and several of its leaders, who see it as a model for managing increasing migration flows. The idea is going to be discussed on the level of the European Council following a proposal from the European Commission.
We already have data that Germany has also asked Albania to accept migrants from abroad, but Tirana flatly refused. Austria probably also has similar ambitions. So – to be prepared the next Eastern European country – candidate.
On the other hand – you accept migrants and you start negotiations.
Foto: Pixabay
