On Wednesday morning, the Italian Navy ship Libra arrived at the Albanian port of Shengjin, carrying 16 migrants rescued at sea. The migrants, hailing from Egypt and Bangladesh, were the first group to be transferred under the new migrant management system implemented by the government of Giorgia Meloni. This system aims to redirect some migrant arrivals from Italy to Albania.
Upon their arrival in Shengjin, the migrants were met by medical staff, interpreters, and cultural mediators. They underwent health checks and were provided with clothing and food before being identified. However, four of the migrants did not meet the criteria outlined in the Italy-Albania agreement and will be returned to Italy. Two Egyptian men, both in poor health, and two 16-year-old boys from Bangladesh were placed back on a patrol boat Wednesday evening to return to the Libra for transfer back to Italy.
The agreement between the two governments stipulates that adult male migrants, considered non-vulnerable and from “safe countries” as defined by Italy, are eligible to be sent to Albania. The term “safe countries” remains contentious, with international organizations criticizing the inclusion of nations like Tunisia, where rights violations are a concern. The four individuals deemed vulnerable did not fit these guidelines.
The remaining 12 migrants are set to be transferred to Gjader, a village in the Lezhë region, where two facilities are designated for their accommodation. One is a reception center with a capacity of 880, intended for asylum seekers, while the other is a repatriation center (CPR) that holds 144 people awaiting deportation. However, uncertainty remains about whether the migrants will be sent to Gjader immediately, as the facilities there were reportedly still undergoing final preparations just days ago.
As for the Libra, it is scheduled to return to Italy’s search and rescue (SAR) zone near the coasts of Tunisia and Libya, where many migrant boats set sail toward Europe. The ship will await further rescues, with future migrants also expected to be transferred to Albania under this new system.
