Albania Opens Doors to Italian Migrants under Unique EU Deal

Albania has opened two reception centers to accommodate migrants from Italy, in a groundbreaking agreement aimed at managing irregular migration within Europe. This collaboration marks the first instance of a non-EU country hosting migrants for an EU nation and has caught the attention of several Western countries.

In a significant development, Albania has opened two reception centers designed to house migrants arriving from Italy, according to an Italian official. This initiative forms part of a bilateral arrangement aimed at curbing irregular migration into the European Union.

The initiative marks the first time a non-EU country has agreed to host migrants on behalf of an EU member state, an approach that has attracted interest from other Western nations grappling with increasing migration flows from Africa, the Middle East, and beyond.

Located in Shengjin and Gjader, the centers aim to process and accommodate up to 3,000 migrants, as part of a 2023 agreement allowing Albania, a prospective EU member, to assist its European counterpart.