The European Commission has responded to the Italian government’s decision to turn the Gjadër camp into a detention and repatriation center for migrants.

According to Brussels, the measure “is, in principle, in line with European law, as Italian legislation would be applied at the center, and we are monitoring the implementation of the Italy-Albania protocol, in addition to remaining in contact.”

This was the response from a Commission spokesperson when asked about the decree-law approved by the Italian government last Friday, as reported by Corriere della Sera.

“With regard to innovative solutions, we have stated that we are ready to explore them, always in compliance with EU and international legal obligations and fundamental rights.”

Markus Lammert, spokesperson for the European Commission for Home Affairs and Migration, gave this response during the Commission’s daily press conference, when asked by a journalist to confirm the statement made by Italy’s Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, who claimed that the European Commission had raised no objections to the Italian decree turning the migrant centers built in Gjadër into repatriation facilities.

The decision allows for the transfer to Albania of migrants awaiting deportation, who have already been denied the right to asylum.

The measure foresees that migrants may remain in the facilities for up to 18 months, the time needed to complete deportation procedures to their countries of origin.