Italy, the cabinet approves the draft law for the ratification of the agreement with Albania for immigrants

2023-12-05 18:33:51Politikë SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Prime Ministers Edi Rama and Giorgia Meloni

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's cabinet approved this Tuesday a draft law for the ratification of the agreement that the government signed with Albania last month for the establishment of Italian immigrant centers in Albanian territory.

On the basis of the Memorandum of Understanding, signed by Prime Ministers Giorgia Meloni and Edi Rama, two centers will be created to handle the cases of immigrants who have been rescued by the Italian marine, coast guard and police.

This does not include the elderly, the vulnerable, children or pregnant women or migrants who are rescued by NGO-run boats or people who land on Italian soil.

Rome has said the deal could be a model for other countries to follow as part of efforts to discourage illegal migration and strengthen the EU's external border.

The leader of the centre-left opposition Democratic Party (PD), Elly Schlein, has said the plan is unconstitutional because it is effectively a push for a third country.

The Council of Europe has expressed concern about the deal, saying it raises several human rights issues and "adds to a worrying European trend towards the externalization of asylum responsibilities".


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