An Italian naval ship carrying eight migrants docked in Albania on Friday, marking a test for Italy’s contentious migration processing deal with the non-EU nation.
The vessel, Libra, arrived in Shengjin, transporting six Egyptians and two Bangladeshis, according to Albania’s interior ministry.
The docking is part of an ambitious policy by Italy to expedite migrant processing outside its borders, a plan closely watched across Europe.
This effort, spearheaded by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s hard-right administration, comes nearly a month after a similar attempt failed due to legal challenges.
The 2023 agreement, designed to divert asylum seekers intercepted in Italy’s waters to Albania, faces both judicial scrutiny and political controversy.
According to the terms, migrants who arrive from “safe countries” are eligible for processing in two Italian-operated centers in Albania, staffed by Italian personnel and monitored under Italian law.
Prime Minister Meloni reported “extraordinary interest” from EU countries regarding the initiative, yet an Italian court’s approval remains essential for the migrant detentions in Albania.
Last month, an attempt to transfer 12 migrants from Bangladesh and Egypt was blocked by Rome’s judiciary, citing concerns about the classification of certain nations as “safe.”
In response, Italy passed a law designating all regions within its “safe” country list as secure.
However, opposition remains strong, with judges across Italy urging the European Court of Justice for further clarity on the ruling.
Addressing the nation, Meloni cautioned that the situation risks rendering “safe countries” non-existent, potentially disrupting Italy’s immigration control efforts.
