On Tuesday, 7 November, the European Commission indicated that it was “in contact with the Italian authorities” in order to obtain “detailed information” on the agreement that was announced between Italy and Albania on 6 November and under which Rome will pay for two centres [to be built] in Albania in order to receive migrants who arrived by sea and were rescued by the Italian navy and who wish to apply for asylum in the country.
“We’re asking to receive detailed information on this type of arrangement,” revealed Anitta Hipper, spokesperson for the European Commission, who reiterated that, while Member States can adopt measures under national law so that these applications can be filed in third countries, this must be done without prejudice to the asylum acquis.
In addition, she stated by way of reminder, “in national waters, the principle of non-refoulement applies”, despite the fact that the provisions of the agreement are still vague as to how individuals rescued in Italian waters will be transferred to Albania, which will also be responsible for sending those who do not qualify for asylum in Italy back to their country [of origin].
In any case, this is the first time that an EU country is entrusting its asylum procedures to a country that is not yet part of the EU.
Alongside her Albanian counterpart Edi Rama, Italian leader Giorgia Meloni welcomed a “European agreement” and an “innovative solution” to curb the increase in illegal crossings in the Mediterranean. More than 145,000 migrants have reached the Italian coast from North Africa since the beginning of 2023.
AFP indicates that these two Italian-run centres—which will be operational in spring 2024—will be able to receive up to 3,000 migrants, that being approximately 39,000 [migrants] per year according to projections.
These two structures for the entry and temporary reception of migrants rescued at sea will enable asylum applications to be processed and any repatriations to be carried out quickly, but the agreement “does not concern children, pregnant women and other vulnerable individuals”, explained Ms Meloni. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)