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News Sport
Italy’s overseas migrant centres infographic
Graphic locates Italy’s migrant centres in Albania.
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POLITICS

Italy opens controversial migrant centre overseas

By Ninian Carter

August 2, 2024 - Italy has opened the first of two controversial migrant camps in neighbouring Albania – a move it hopes will reduce the number of illegal sea crossings to its shores.

Italy, which has the largest migrant arrival numbers in the European Union, has begun outsourcing some of its challenges to neighbouring Albania.

Two controversial migrant detainment camps are being opened up in the port town of Shengjin and the former air force base of Gjader – both on Albania’s northwest coast.

The five-year agreement signed by the Italian and Albanian Prime Ministers is intended to help reduce the migrant burden on Italy and deter some from even attempting the journey. Last year, 153,000 migrants made landfall in Italy.

Both camps will operate rather like embassies, in that the facilities have been paid for by Italy – estimated at upwards of €650 million – and will operate under Italian and EU legislation, as if they were on Italian soil.

The attraction for Albania in allowing such is a scheme is a boost to its image overseas as it negotiates for membership of the European Union.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 02/08/2024; STORY: Graphic News; PICTURES: Getty Images
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