Italy Transfers 49 Migrants to Albania Amid Controversy

Italy has resumed transferring migrants to Albania, with 49 individuals intercepted at sea now arriving at the Albanian port of Shëngjin for processing. This move marks the third attempt under a controversial agreement between Rome and Tirana, following two previous legal setbacks where Italian courts ruled against the safety of the migrants' countries of origin. The agreement allows Italy to conduct asylum processing in Albania, a first for an EU nation to move migrant processing outside the bloc. The European Court of Justice is set to review the legality of this policy, particularly whether expedited procedures for asylum seekers from deemed unsafe countries can be implemented. The migrants will undergo evaluations at a reception center before being transferred to the Gjader accommodation center. This initiative has drawn criticism due to the previous failures and empty facilities in Albania, raising concerns over the Italian government’s expenditures.