An Italian navy ship, “Cassiopea,” delivered 49 irregular migrants to Albania’s Shengjin port as part of a bilateral agreement between Italy and Albania. The migrants, from Bangladesh, Egypt, Ivory Coast, and Gambia, were intercepted south of Lampedusa and are the third group sent to Albania under the arrangement.
The five-year agreement, signed in November 2023, allows Italy to transfer “healthy male irregular migrants” to two centers in Albania while their asylum applications are processed. Migrants granted asylum may enter Italy, while others will be repatriated. Italy funds the centers, which are under Italian jurisdiction, with Albanian guards providing external security.
Italy’s plan, facing legal scrutiny from the European Court of Justice, aims to deter illegal immigration. The agreement has already faced setbacks, as some migrants sent in October and November were returned to Italy following court rulings.
