Albania’s Migration Challenge: Post-Meloni Summit, Italy Pushes Innovative Solutions with EU Support

Headline:

Italy‘s Government to Press Ahead with Albania migrant Centers despite Criticism and Legal Setbacks

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Giorgia Meloni‘s government plans to restart migrant transfers to Albania, bolstered by a recent Italian court ruling. Opposition parties and critics argue that the project is inhumane, ineffective, and costly.

Article:

ROME — Italy’s government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, is forging ahead with its plan to send asylum-seekers to centers in Albania, dismissing criticism and legal hurdles. The initiative, aimed at easing the migrant burden on Italy, has been widely criticized and faced numerous setbacks, but the government maintains its resolve.

In a meeting with ministers and advisors, Meloni affirmed, "The European Union is on our side on this. We will not stop this project." The confidence stems from a recent ruling by Italy’s Court of Cassation, which recognized the government’s right to designate safe countries for asylum seekers.

However, opposition parties remain skeptical. Elly Schlein, secretary of the Democratic Party (PD), is among the most vocal critics: "This project is inhumane, ineffective, and expensive. Meloni should put an end to it."

The government, undeterred, is eyeing a January restart for migrant transfers to Albania. Two factors are driving this timeline: the aforementioned court ruling and a change in the competence on migratory detention orders, shifting from judges of sections to appeals courts. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani echoes this determination, asserting, "We will go ahead in our fight against human traffickers and to respect European norms."

Despite the government’s commitment, opposition parties and critics continue to voice their opposition. Matteo Mauri, security responsibly of the PD, quips, "If Meloni keeps holding meetings to demonstrate something’s usefulness, it’s a clear sign it’s not working." Carlo Calenda, leader of Azione, posits that even without the involvement of judges, the current Albanian centers would only accommodate 18 migrants, underscoring the project’s inefficiency.

Before the holidays, Meloni’s government is set to gather for a Council of Ministers meeting. On the agenda are measures to accelerate the implementation of the PNRR, the allocation of the sixth EU rate to Italy (€8.7 billion), a new weapons package for Ukraine, and the expansion of the "Caivano model" to seven other disadvantaged areas.

After the Council meeting, Meloni will moderate a cabinet session to evaluate the results achieved by the Zes (Economic Special Zone), a unified system for southern Italy. Meloni boasts, "The South has become Italy’s engine under this government," and has promised a detailed review of interventions aiding the Mezzogiorno in January.

Alt Tags for Images:

1. Giorgia Meloni, Italian Prime Minister
2. Migrants at a center in Italy
3. Map of Italy and Albania
4. Protest against migrant policies
5. Elly Schlein, Democratic Party Secretary

Internal Linking:

1. Italy’s migrant policy under Giorgia Meloni
2. Albania migrant centers: a timeline of events
3. Elly Schlein: Democratic Party’s fierce critic of migrant policy

External Linking:

1. Corriere.it – Original Article
2. ansa.it – Meloni’s government presses ahead with Albania migrant centers