Albania’s Parliament passed a controversial deal on Thursday allowing the country to host thousands of asylum seekers for Italy, despite opposition protests and criticism from human rights groups. The agreement permits Albania to accommodate up to 3,000 migrants rescued from international waters at a time, with potential for up to 36,000 arrivals annually. Although not an EU member, Albania’s decision to accept asylum seekers from Italy has sparked debate within the bloc and drawn condemnation from rights organizations.
The five-year deal, inked in November between Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, aims to alleviate Italy’s burden of addressing migration by sharing responsibility with other European nations. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen supported the agreement, yet it faced significant backlash from human rights advocates.
In a vote dominated by Rama’s Socialist Party, Albania’s Parliament approved the deal 77-0, with many opposition members absent. The conservative opposition, present during the vote, attempted to disrupt proceedings but failed to sway the outcome. Despite opposition efforts, the deal received final approval pending the president’s decree.
Rama, absent from the vote, hailed the decision as a demonstration of Albania’s solidarity with Italy and its willingness to shoulder a shared burden amid a complex migration crisis. Despite opposition attempts to block the agreement through legal channels, the Constitutional Court ruled in favor of its implementation, clearing the path for its enactment.
Italian authorities had already secured approval for the deal in their parliament, further cementing the agreement’s progress. The accord entails the establishment of two processing centers in Albania, funded by Italy with over 600 million euros over five years. Italy will oversee the facilities’ operations, expediting asylum requests while maintaining legal responsibility for the migrants throughout the process.
Those rescued within Italy’s territorial waters or by NGO vessels will retain their right to apply for asylum in Italy under international and EU law. Meanwhile, Albania will provide temporary shelter and facilitate the processing of their asylum claims. The agreement underscores Italy’s efforts to seek assistance from fellow EU members in managing the influx of migrants, which surged by 50% in 2023 compared to the previous year.
Albania’s decision to support Italy reflects historical ties and a sense of gratitude, as many Albanians sought refuge in Italy following the collapse of communism in the 1990s. Despite criticism, both countries view the agreement as a pragmatic step in addressing the challenges posed by irregular migration flows in the Mediterranean.
