Italy and Albania Collaborate on Migrant Processing Centers

Italy has opened two migrant processing centers in Albania for intercepting male migrants at international waters. The centers can house up to 880 migrants initially, under a deal between Italy and Albania. The initiative draws controversy, being praised for innovation but criticized by human rights groups.

The Italian government has inaugurated two new centers in Albania intended to process male migrants caught in international waters. The official opening had been postponed due to soil instability at one location, which has since been rectified, according to Italian Ambassador to Albania Fabrizio Bucci.

Situated in Shengjin and near Gjader, the centers can initially accommodate up to 400 migrants, with plans to expand the capacity to 880 over the coming weeks. These facilities are part of a five-year agreement signed last November by Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni and Albanian counterpart Edi Rama.

Though hailed by some European nations and the European Commission President as an innovative solution to migration challenges, the deal has faced backlash from human rights organizations. Criticisms focus on concerns over setting a dangerous precedent by outsourcing asylum processing to non-EU countries.

(With inputs from agencies.)