EU Court Rejects Italy’s Plan for Migrant Camps in Albania

Italy has entered into a notable agreement with Albania aimed at enhancing its capacity to process asylum seekers, with plans in place to manage up to 36,000 individuals annually. This initiative arises amid ongoing discussions within the European Union regarding migration policies and the classification of “safe countries.”

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) recently supported the decisions of Italian judges who expressed reservations about a list of countries deemed safe by Rome. This ruling aligns with Italy’s efforts to streamline the deportation of migrants to designated detention centers in Albania. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration has advocated for outsourcing asylum processing to non-EU nations, a strategy that has attracted attention from other EU countries seeking effective solutions to manage migration.

Despite the Italian government’s ambitions, the implementation of this costly initiative has faced significant legal challenges, resulting in delays. Italian magistrates have cited the ECJ’s decision, indicating that EU states cannot automatically designate an entire nation as “safe” when specific regions within that country may not meet adequate safety standards for migrants.

In its recent judgment, the ECJ confirmed Italy’s authority to classify countries as “safe” but emphasized that such decisions require adherence to stringent legal criteria. It also highlighted the necessity for access to information that allows applicants and judicial bodies to contest these classifications. This nuanced approach reinforces the need for a comprehensive understanding of safety conditions for all populations in the designated countries.

In a prior agreement signed in November 2023 between Meloni and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, Italy had initiated the establishment of two processing centers in Albania. Unfortunately, these facilities have remained vacant due to ongoing judicial proceedings. A recent report indicated that the construction costs for these centers have far exceeded initial projections, underscoring the complexities of implementing migration strategies.

The ECJ’s ruling emerged from a case involving two Bangladeshi nationals who had been rescued at sea. Their unsuccessful asylum claims in Albania were predicated on Italy’s designation of Bangladesh as a “safe” country. Legal expert Dario Belluccio, representing one of the individuals, suggested that the Albanian migrant camp initiative may face insurmountable obstacles following the ECJ’s decision.

As legal and logistical hurdles continue to impede the Albanian scheme, Italy has reported success in reducing undocumented migration via the Mediterranean. So far in the year, the number of migrant arrivals has reached 36,557—an increase compared to the previous year but significantly lower than the nearly 90,000 arrivals recorded during the same timeframe in 2023.

This ongoing situation represents a critical juncture for Italy and its approach to migration, highlighting the delicate balance between national policy, European legal frameworks, and humanitarian responsibilities.

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