Italy-Albania Migration Deal Faces Legal and Practical Hurdles

The Italian-Albanian migration agreement, designed to manage asylum seekers outside Italy's borders, faces significant challenges. Italy has established repatriation centers in Albania to detain up to 3,000 migrants. However, a Rome court recently mandated the return of 16 migrants to Italy, highlighting legal obstacles and human rights concerns surrounding the agreement.

French officials, including Michel Barnier, assert that this model is not legally transferable to France. Both Italy and France are considering joint efforts against human trafficking, yet the Italian-Albanian scheme remains controversial. Critics argue it sets a dangerous precedent, questioning the designation of 'safe countries' for asylum processing.

The European Court of Justice has already ruled that several countries, including Bangladesh and Egypt, cannot be deemed safe, complicating Italy's swift deportation plans. Giorgia Meloni's government aims for a quick asylum resolution and deportation process, but the recent court ruling undermines this strategy.

The Italian government faces a legal and logistical quagmire, needing to address these issues before the broader EU immigration pact comes into effect in 2026. Until then, Italy's efforts to manage migration externally remain fraught with legal and ethical challenges.