• Italy opens controversial migrant centre in Albania
• The camp will house up to 3,000 migrants per month who are rescued en route to Italy
• These centres, fully managed and funded by the Italian government, are designed to handle migrants picked up in international waters
• Migrants housed there can apply for asylum in Italy, and if rejected, they will be returned to safe countries

Italy opens controversial migrant centre in Albania

Italy has launched its first of two planned migrant camps in Albania, marking the start of Europe’s first “offshoring” scheme for managing migrant arrivals. The camp, located in the northern Albanian port of Shengjin, will house up to 3,000 migrants per month who are rescued en route to Italy.

These centres, fully managed and funded by the Italian government, are designed to handle migrants picked up in international waters, excluding women, children, and vulnerable individuals. Migrants housed there can apply for asylum in Italy, and if rejected, they will be returned to safe countries.

Fabrizio Bucci, Italy’s ambassador in Albania, emphasised that Italian and European laws will govern these centres, likening them to facilities within Italy’s borders. The agreement between the Italian and Albanian governments is set to last five years, with a potential extension if the scheme succeeds in reducing Italy’s migrant burden and deterring new arrivals.

This initiative is part of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s broader strategy to curb migration, a key promise in her campaign. However, the project, costing an estimated €650 million (£547 million), has faced criticism from opposition politicians and human rights groups. Despite these concerns, the number of sea arrivals in Italy this year has already dropped by more than half compared to the same period in 2023.