Italy has commenced a contentious initiative, transferring its first group of 16 asylum seekers to migrant centers in Albania, marking the beginning of a bilateral agreement with Albania. This move is part of a broader strategy to manage the influx of migrants arriving on Italian shores, particularly the island of Lampedusa. The migrants, rescued from the Mediterranean, are subjected to a verification process aboard the Italian military ship, Libra, before being sent to Albania.
The agreement, backed by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, aims to process asylum applications outside the European Union's borders. The initiative has sparked debate across Europe, with some viewing it as a pragmatic solution and others criticizing it as a potential erosion of asylum rights. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has expressed support, suggesting this model could influence future EU migration policies.
The centers, located in Gjader and Shengjin, will temporarily house migrants while their applications are processed. Critics, however, highlight several concerns, including the isolation of the facilities and the legal complexities involved. There are fears that the process may compromise basic human rights, as outlined by recent European Court of Justice rulings.
Financially, the project is significant, with Italy bearing substantial costs for both constructing and maintaining these centers. Despite the controversy, the Italian government sees this as a necessary step in addressing the challenges posed by migration, with potential interest from other European nations observing Italy's experiment closely. As the first migrants arrive, the effectiveness and ethical implications of this approach remain under scrutiny.
