Italy dispatches first group of migrants to Albania

Italy is launching a contentious plan to process thousands of asylum-seekers overseas by sending the first group of migrants to Albania on a navy ship, according to reports.

In an attempt to discourage unauthorised immigration, the administration of Giorgia Meloni constructed two reception centers in Albania—the first agreement of its kind in which a member of the European Union transfers migrants to a non-EU country.

Reports say Libra ship had departed from near the island of Lampedusa with 16 male migrants who were rescued at sea on Sunday.

Ten were from Bangladesh and six from Egypt both deemed safe countries by Italy.

Italy has said only “non-vulnerable” men coming from countries classified as safe would be sent to Albania.

The Libra was expected to arrive in Albania on Wednesday morning, the source said.

Under the terms of the Albania accord, up to 36,000 migrants can be dispatched to the Balkan nation each year, so long as they come from the list of safe countries, which severely limits the possibility of them obtaining asylum.

However, a ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) issued earlier this month may throw a spanner in the works, experts say, as it limits the definition of what might be considered a safe country outside the EU.

Ruling on a separate case involving the Czech Republic, the Court said a country outside the bloc cannot be declared safe unless its entire territory is deemed free of danger.