Migration agreement with Italy: Albania publishes additional details

Albania and Italy announced the signing of the agreement on Monday (6 November). According to the plan, asylum seekers rescued from the Mediterranean by Italian ships will be processed in two centres in northern Albania. [Alice Taylor]

The Albanian Media and Information Agency has published further details of the agreement between Albania and Italy. The planned centres for the processing of asylum applications in Albania will be able to accommodate up to 36,000 people per year.

Albania and Italy announced the signing of the agreement on Monday (6 November). According to the plan, asylum seekers rescued from the Mediterranean by Italian ships will be processed in two centres in northern Albania. 

The information published states that Italy will be able to use the establishment of the structures provided for in the agreement territories on Albanian territory, at the expense of Italy.

 The number of people accommodated at the same time is limited to 3,000 and Italy covers all the costs of these people. 

The agreement also stipulates that the maximum length of stay for each individual may not be longer than the time necessary to complete the asylum procedure. 

Once the procedure has been completed, the Italian side will facilitate the departure of migrants from Albania. Residents of the coastal city of Shengjin, where one of the migrant centers is to be established, are divided on this issue.