Operations to transfer migrants to Albania, where they will stay in newly opened Italian-run centres will continue regularly, government sources stated on Saturday.
These sources confirmed no suspension has been ordered after a Rome court failed to validate the detention of the first group of 12 migrants at a hosting and repatriation centre in Gjader, Albania. Italy established the centre this year, as part of an agreement between the two countries’ governments.
The timing of the next arrival of an Italian navy vessel, carrying rescued migrants, will depend on weather conditions in the coming days, according to the same sources.
Decree to outline ‘safe countries’
The Italian government is expected to approve a decree on Monday, which would take effect the following day. This follows Premier Giorgia Meloni’s statement on Friday, in which she described it as a “solution” after the Rome court’s ruling.
The court refused to validate the detention of 12 migrants at the Italian-run centre in Gjader. The court’s decision stated the migrants’ countries of origin, Bangladesh and Egypt, are not ‘safe’.
Government sources indicated the decree is likely to establish a legal list of safe countries. Currently, this list is part of a decree from the foreign ministry, updated annually in agreement with the interior and justice ministries.
First migrants return from Albania
On Saturday afternoon, an Italian coast guard vessel carrying 12 migrants from the Italian-run centre in Albania arrived at the port of Bari. The transfer occurred after the Rome court refused to validate the migrants’ detention in Albania. The vessel had departed from Albania at around 9:30 am local time.
The 12 migrants, comprising seven citizens of Bangladesh and five Egyptians, will go to the hosting centre for asylum seekers in Bari.
