Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni declared from the refugee reception camp in Shëngjin that the migrant reception centers will be ready starting on August 1.
In the joint press conference next to Prime Minister Rama, Meloni said that the postponement of the works for the construction of migrant centers was a result of the difficult terrain.
“They will be operational from August 1, 2024. We will do it successfully. The two-month delay was caused by the somewhat difficult terrain in Gjadër,” said Meloni.
Meloni said that the agreement with Albania on migrants is a powerful tool to prevent migrants from coming to Europe. She emphasized that the agreement can also serve as an instrument to attack criminal groups of human trafficking.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni added during the conference held this Wednesday in Shëngjin, that Prime Minister Edi Rama is not the target of the attack of the “Rai 3” documentary. She said that Albania has done nothing but help and expressed its willingness to cooperate as the two countries have always done.
“I am happy that I am here, that I had the opportunity to meet you and that Prime Minister Rama had the opportunity to closely verify the situation of the works in the camp. As we saw and heard from Prime Minister Rama, our countries are two friendly countries that have historically cooperated. I want to thank Prime Minister Edi Rama and the Albanian people once again for the help you gave us for this agreement.
The Albanian government has helped the Italian government, we have heard labels as if the Albanian government is a narco-state, it is not the first time that Albania offers help to Italy. Even before, Albania has had the sincere desire to be part of the EU and has always chosen opportunities for cooperation. I hope that the agreement for migrants will be an example for other EU countries as well.
Even in the dramatic days of COVID-19, Albania offered 30 doctors to Italy. At that time, the Italian newspapers called it a beautiful tale of the Albanian prime minister, while today they call the Albanian prime minister a criminal, while we simply continued the cooperation as we have always done with Albania. The Italian people know that Edi Rama is not the target of this attack.
Albania has made available to us several territories, in which Italy is working to establish two centers. This is an innovative arrangement. When we signed it, I really wanted it to become a model for other countries. We are here to launch the realization of works in the structure of Shëngjin, which will perform the function of welcoming migrants, who will then be directed to Gjadër”, said Meloni.
