The Italian government reached an agreement with the Albanian government to build two reception centers in Albania for 3,000 people, including those rescued in the Mediterranean by the Italian authorities, with the exception of minors, pregnant women and those with disabilities.

Despite being located in Albanian territory, the centers will operate according to Italian laws, which may constitute a violation of EU laws. The European Commission is being cautious about the issue; after almost a week, analysis of the 9-page document is still ongoing.

“We are in contact with the Italian authorities on this matter. We have just received the signed protocol between the Italian and Albanian authorities and are reviewing it. That’s why I can’t go into details without finishing it,” says Anitta Hipper, EC spokesperson for internal affairs.

Meanwhile, the idea is being discussed in Europe. The German government is exploring this possibility, albeit with reservations from the ranks of the socialists.

While Austria is suggesting to the Commission to enable asylum procedures to be held outside Europe, as Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said after an agreement with Britain on immigration.

Denmark went even further by passing a law that allows asylum seekers to be processed outside of Europe, even though it has yet to find a partner country.

For experts, extra-territorial review of asylum applications is not a new idea in Europe, but so far it has failed.

“If we look at history, these proposals have not gone ahead for a multitude of reasons. There are legal issues regarding the impact on the protection of fundamental rights, but also political, moral and practical aspects, which prevented these ideas from being implemented”, says Alberto Horst Neidhardt, analyst, European Policy Center,

These types of deals will be promoted again in the future, but they will have to comply with new EU immigration laws, which are being discussed.