Green light from the Senate to the Memorandum of Understanding between Italy and Albania regarding migrant centers, which had been signed on November 6, 2023 by the two prime ministers Giorgia Meloni and Edi Rama and approved in first reading by the Chamber on January 24. The agreement provides for the opening of two Italian centers on Albanian territory for the management of migrants: one will be located near the port of Shengjin, about 70 kilometers north of the capital Tirana, and the other in Gjader, in the Albanian hinterland. Albania will provide the space where the centers will be built free of charge. However, Italy will have to bear all costs associated with building the centers, transporting and housing the migrants, including any medical costs. Italian authorities will be responsible for the interior of the facilities, while Albanian authorities will provide security outside the centers and during the transfer of migrants. Albanian authorities will only be allowed to enter the centers in case of fire or other serious and imminent danger. Italy will send officials to Albania, who will not need a residence permit or work visa, but will receive an identification document. Working conditions will follow Italian regulations. There will be up to 3,000 migrants in both centers, who will be accompanied to the facilities by Italian authorities. However, minors, pregnant women and others considered vulnerable will have to be brought to Italy through a "selective disembarkation" procedure. Migrants will be allowed to remain in Albania only "for the time strictly necessary" to carry out border or repatriation procedures required by Italian or European regulations, even though Albania is not part of the European Union. The agreement was the subject of discussion and approval by Italian and Albanian authorities, and establishes guidelines for the management of migration flows between the two countries. (Photo by Max Cavallari)
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