Meloni revisits Albania migrant plan after Supreme Court backing

Dec. 22, 2024 — Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is pushing ahead with her plan to transfer some asylum seekers to Albania. While the initiative could help reduce pressure on Italy’s migrant centers, its main goal is to discourage new arrivals on Italian shores.

Speaking at the North-South Summit in Finland, Meloni announced a meeting scheduled for Monday to discuss the next steps. “I have called a meeting tomorrow on the Albania issue to understand how we will proceed,” she said.

A plan to deter migration

The plan involves relocating some asylum seekers from Italy to Albania, which has been declared a "safe country" for such processes. The government hopes this approach will serve as a warning to migrants, discouraging dangerous sea crossings to Italy.

“The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the government. It is the government’s right to determine which countries are safe, while judges can address individual cases,” Meloni said, defending the legality of the initiative.

Although two migrant ships were sent to Albania’s Shëngjin port this year, court rulings blocked the transfers, sending the migrants back to Lampedusa. Despite these setbacks, Meloni is determined to make the plan work.

Albania’s role in the partnership

Albania, a candidate for European Union membership, has welcomed the collaboration, viewing it as a chance to strengthen ties with EU countries and show its ability to manage regional challenges. However, ensuring adequate resources and infrastructure to support the program remains a priority for Albania.

The Albanian government has expressed its readiness to cooperate, highlighting the importance of solidarity. The success of the initiative will depend on how effectively the two governments address logistical and legal hurdles.

A wider European challenge

The plan comes amid record numbers of migrants crossing the Mediterranean, putting significant pressure on Italy’s resources. Meloni has long called for greater burden-sharing within the European Union.

Relocating migrants to Albania is part of Italy’s strategy to deter crossings while managing migration more sustainably. Monday’s meeting is expected to clarify how the governments will move forward.