Prime Minister Edi Rama was this Monday in Italy where he was holding a press conference together with his Italian counterpart, Giorgia Meloni, to talk about the agreement on refugees.
Rama said that Albania cannot be the solution to the difficult situation in which Italy is in these moments, but it can provide help, after entering Italy according to him, because of its geography, illegal immigrants have it very easy to move to any EU country.
“Albania is not an EU country, but it is a European state. We are in Europe, we are a European country and we lack the U in front, but this does not prevent us from seeing the world as a European. We would not make this agreement with any other EU country, because there is a big difference between what connects Albania with Italy and Italians with Albanians. As I have said on other occasions, if Italy calls, Albania answers.
It is up to us to always respond in cases where we can give a helping hand, in this case we can give a very small helping hand to Italy. We do not have the strength and capacity to be the solution, but we have the obligation to provide assistance. This collaboration is a long discussion to do well. It is not a way out, but we believe in it. Albania has a history of hospitality, it is the only country that sheltered more Jews during the second world war, in Albania after the second war, the Italians found protection in the Albanians and did not leave themselves at the mercy of fate,” said Rama.
Meanwhile, the prime minister of Italy announced that Albania and Italy have signed an agreement to deal with illegal immigration. She indicated that a reception center for immigrants in Shengjin is expected to become operational by spring, for which Italy will contribute financially.
“Albania will give its help by giving some of its areas to host refugees, Italy will act according to its part on the economic side by contributing financially. Refugees who seek asylum will remain in these territories and will be selected between those who are eligible and those who are not. In terms of population, we have about 3,000 people, and as a flow it can reach 36,000 people per month.
The agreement does not include minors. The jurisdiction of these centers will be Italian.
In the port of Shengjin, where they will land, a reception and screening center will be built, then there will be another structure. The Albanian part will deal with the control readiness. We aim to be operational next spring”, said Meloni.
At the end of the conference, the two prime ministers signed the agreement for immigrants.
