Italy sends first migrants to Albania under new deal: ‘European dream ends here’

Italy has built two reception centres in Albania, in the first scheme by a EU nation to divert migrants to a non-EU country

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A group of migrants intercepted in Italian waters arrive aboard an Italian navy boat at Shengjin, Albania. Italy has begun sending migrants rescued in the Mediterranean to detention centres in Albania, where their asylum claims will be processed. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 6:49pm, 16 Oct 2024Updated: 6:56pm, 16 Oct 2024

A ship carrying the first group of migrants to be processed in Albania under a deal with Italy arrived in the port of Shengjin on Wednesday morning, setting in motion Rome’s controversial plan to process thousands of asylum seekers abroad.

Italy has built two reception centres in Albania, in the first scheme by a European Union nation to divert migrants to a non-EU country. The plan aims to deter irregular arrivals to Italy, but has been criticised by rights groups who say it restricts migrants’ right to asylum.

The Libra, an Italian navy ship, docked at Shengjin, Reuters footage showed. Sixteen migrants were escorted into a newly built processing centre at the port, which was ringed by a high metal fence and adorned with Italian and EU flags.

Rising tension in Europe over migration issues has seen many EU nations, including Germany and Poland, propose or adopt tougher policies. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said this week that her country was setting an example for the rest of Europe with the Albanian scheme.

Activists hold a banner depicting Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama wearing police uniforms, as the first group of migrants intercepted in Italian waters arrive at Shengjin, Albania. Photo: EPA-EFE

A small group of protesters gathered at the port on Wednesday. “The European dream ends here,” one banner read.