Italy-Albania Protocol: the duration of the agreement will depend on Rome
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama recently confirmed that the memorandum of understanding between Italy and Albania, concerning the management of migrant centers located on Albanian territory, will remain in effect for as long as the Italian government desires. The agreement, which has sparked widespread debate at the European level, provides for Italy to manage certain reception and identification facilities directly in Albania.
According to Prime Minister Rama, Albania intends to maintain a close collaborative relationship with Italy, offering its support in managing migratory flows. The protocol establishes that screening procedures and asylum applications are to be carried out under Italian jurisdiction, despite operating in facilities physically located beyond national borders.
This initiative represents a unique experiment in the European Union landscape. The Italian government has promoted the project with the aim of easing the pressure on reception centers within the national territory and managing more rapidly the procedures related to migrants arriving by sea in the Mediterranean.
Italian authorities continue to monitor the operation of the centers, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in addressing the challenges related to immigration. The protocol, therefore, does not have a fixed, predefined expiration date, but is linked to the political will and needs expressed by Rome, confirming the strategic bond between the two countries.