Work has begun on the construction of a center for registering immigrants in the northwestern port city of Shëngjin, Albania, based on an agreement between Albania and Italy, Albanian authorities announced on Wednesday.
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| During the start of the construction of the center for the temporary accommodation of migrants caught by Italy, April 2024 |
A location was previously designated at the port of Shëngjin, where construction has now commenced for a center for registering and verifying immigrants intercepted by Italian authorities in the Mediterranean Sea.
Albania is expected to accept up to 36,000 immigrants from the beginning of next month, based on the agreement.
The Director of the Port of Shëngjin, Sandër Marashi, told the media on Wednesday that the Italian government had requested about 4,000 square meters of land within the port's territory, and that accommodation for immigrants is expected to begin by the end of May.
"The area we have allocated does not hinder us in operations, or the activities of the port of Shëngjin. We expect the first immigrants to arrive by mid or end of May," Marashi said.
The work is being carried out by Albanian companies contracted by Italy.
Last November, the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, and the Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, signed the agreement, under which Italy will send immigrants intercepted and rescued in the Mediterranean Sea to Albania, starting from this spring.
According to the agreement, immigrants registered at the Shëngjin center will then be transferred to an accommodation center in the north, in Gjadër, Lezhë, where construction has begun a few days ago.
The Albanian Parliament ratified this agreement in February, despite opposition objections and concerns raised about the lack of transparency.
Two days after it was signed by Rama and Meloni, Amnesty International stated that the agreement is "unlawful and unenforceable."
According to the agreement, Italy will deposit €16.5 million into a special account of Albania's Treasury as a prelude to the sheltering of immigrants in Albania.
The agreement provides that immigrants intercepted in the Mediterranean Sea and sheltered in Albania, and their accommodation, will be financed by the Italian state.
The entry of immigrants into Albanian territorial waters and territory will be exclusively carried out by the means of the competent Italian authorities.
The document published by the Albanian government emphasizes that Italian authorities will bear any necessary expenses for the accommodation and treatment of immigrants, including food, healthcare, and any other services deemed necessary, ensuring that this treatment respects the fundamental rights and freedoms of humans, according to international law.
According to the agreement, Italy will finance all hospital care services, as well as equipment such as vehicles and fuel, as well as payments for lawyers. Meanwhile, Albania will provide facilities for Italian personnel working in Albania, who will be exempt from the need for visas, residence permits, and other requirements required by Albanian migration legislation.
The agreement also provides for the obligations that Italy has regarding providing security for immigrant reception centers, while Albania will provide security for immigrants during their transport outside these centers.
Initially, around 3,000 people are expected to be accommodated, while within a year the immigrant flow could reach up to 36,000 people.