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The pact between Italy and Albania represents a fundamental step for Giorgia Meloni’s government in managing irregular migratory flows. Signed with the intent to outsource asylum procedures, the agreement has garnered interest at the European level and cautious support from EU institutions, which see it as a potential model for managing migration to Europe.
Objectives of the Italy-Albania Pact
The main goal of the agreement is to create detention centers for migrants in Albania, where asylum applications can be assessed before individuals officially enter Europe. According to the Meloni government, this approach has a dual purpose: reducing the number of irregular arrivals in Italy and offering an alternative to dangerous crossings in the central Mediterranean. Defense Minister Crosetto stated that initial results appear promising, with an estimated 50% reduction in arrivals thanks to cooperation with countries of origin.
Legal and Political Challenges
Despite support among right-wing parties and some EU member states, the pact has faced domestic and international opposition. The Italian left and various European political groups have challenged the legitimacy of the protocol, arguing that it could violate the rights of asylum seekers and EU immigration regulations. A recent ruling by the Rome Tribunal invalidated the detention of migrants in Albania, deeming certain countries of origin, such as Egypt and Bangladesh, as not “safe countries.” This decision has created political tension, with the government reaffirming its intention to pass a decree listing safe countries to reduce the margins for judicial discretion.
Giorgia Meloni has voiced strong criticism against parts of the Italian judiciary, accusing them of holding political positions that undermine the executive’s work. The Prime Minister stated that there is an “ideological bias” on the part of some judges, especially those with progressive leanings, who allegedly use their positions to oppose the government’s policies on immigration and security.
Regarding the cooperation protocol with Albania, Meloni denounced that some sectors of the judiciary seem ready to block any attempt to implement new regulations, questioning the possibility of considering Albania a “safe third country” for migrants. “It is unacceptable for the judiciary to interfere in the state’s foreign and security policy decisions,” Meloni declared, emphasizing that it is the government’s prerogative to decide which countries are safe, without interference that could destabilize Italian immigration policies.
Meloni further reiterated that the reforms implemented by her government aim to give Italy greater control over migratory flows, with the objective of protecting national borders. However, according to the Prime Minister, every attempt to apply these measures seems to encounter internal obstacles, often related to judicial decisions that, she says, “want to set the country’s political agenda.”
“We will not allow a politicized part of the judiciary to endanger the safety of Italians and our borders,” Meloni said in a recent interview. These statements reflect a growing tension between the government and the judiciary, with the executive considering new measures to strengthen the autonomy of the executive power in making decisions of national interest.
European Reactions and Developments
The Italy-Albania agreement has also attracted attention beyond Italy, with some member states, such as Germany, closely watching the model for possible implementation. A spokesperson for the German Ministry of the Interior stated that Berlin is evaluating the feasibility of determining refugee status in transit or third countries, similar to Italy’s approach with Albania. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also expressed interest in the model, encouraging other states to consider similar solutions.
Furthermore, a recent decision by the European Parliament, which rejected a request from the European left to discuss the legal consequences of the pact, represents a political victory for the Italian executive. This demonstrates an increasing interest in Europe for more restrictive solutions on migration, reflected in similar initiatives in other countries like the Netherlands and Denmark.
Impact and Criticism
Although the Italy-Albania pact has been welcomed by many European states, it has faced criticism from human rights organizations and activists. According to these organizations, outsourcing asylum applications risks limiting migrants’ access to fair and transparent processes. Reactions among potential migrants reveal growing concerns about the possibility of being detained in Albania rather than reaching Italy. Some migrants are considering alternative routes, such as the Spanish route, to avoid transfer to Albanian centers.
In summary, the Italy-Albania pact could represent a turning point in managing migratory flows to Europe, acting as a deterrent for irregular migration and offering an alternative to traditional EU approaches. However, the legal and humanitarian issues raised continue to pose obstacles to its full implementation and acceptance at the international level.
Giorgia Meloni’s government has no intention of halting its efforts, as demonstrated by the statements from the Prime Minister and ministers regarding the management of migratory flows and the implementation of the Italy-Albania agreement. Supported by a right-wing coalition and backed by various European partners, the Italian executive is determined to proceed with implementing the protocol with Albania, convinced that it represents an example for the entire European Union. This agreement, endorsed on several occasions by Ursula von der Leyen, provides for the possibility of transferring asylum seekers to Albania, considered a “safe third country” to handle applications outside the EU’s borders.
Meloni and her ministers emphasize that the goal is not only to protect Italy’s borders but also to establish stable and structured cooperation with non-EU countries to discourage illegal migration and human trafficking. The Prime Minister has reiterated that the current approach aims to safeguard the dignity of migrants while maintaining strict control and respect for international law. Italy, according to Meloni, is addressing the problem with courage and pragmatism, attempting to create a model that other member states can replicate, as indicated by the growing attention of Germany and countries like the Netherlands and Denmark.
Additionally, the Italian government is preparing to overcome potential legal and bureaucratic obstacles by including a list of safe countries for returns in its decrees and reaffirming that such determinations should be an exclusive competence of the executive, not the judiciary. Meloni, supported by some in the European Parliament, sharply criticized the “bias” of certain Italian judges, accusing left-wing factions of seeking legal loopholes to undermine the government’s authority and the effectiveness of the protocol with Tirana.
The government’s ultimate objective is ambitious: to establish a European precedent that integrates collaboration with transit or third countries for the reception and management of migrants, discouraging irregular departures and limiting unauthorized entry into Europe. The conservative coalition led by Meloni views this approach as a crucial step toward strengthening both Italian and European sovereignty.
In conclusion
The pact between Italy and Albania represents a bold and innovative strategy to tackle the challenge of irregular migration, with the goal of strengthening border control and establishing a replicable model at the European level. Giorgia Meloni’s government demonstrates a strong resolve to pursue this policy, despite legal challenges and criticisms from the opposition and certain sectors of the judiciary. The determination of the Italian executive and the interest shown by other European countries indicate that this could be just the first in a series of collaborations with third countries to externalize the management of asylum requests. However, the effectiveness of the pact will depend on the ability to overcome legal obstacles and the responses from the European Union, which now faces the possibility of adopting more pragmatic and shared approaches to migration management. For Meloni and her coalition, this is a test of strength and an opportunity to assert their sovereignist vision in a Europe that is still seeking the right balance between solidarity and security.