The head of the Parliamentary Group of the Socialist Party, Bledi Çuçi gathered the parliamentary group ahead of the plenary session scheduled later in the afternoon.

In his address to the deputies, Çuçi outlined the parliamentary agenda for the new week, and called for the participation of deputies, especially in Thursday’s session when several important agreements are expected to be passed, including the Protocol with Italy on Cooperation in the field of Emigration.

On January 29, the Constitutional Court of Albania paved the way for the ratification of the agreement, arguing it is not in violation of the Constitution.

The decision of the Albanian court came a few days after the Italian Lower House of Parliament approved the agreement.

Last November, the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, and the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, signed the agreement, under which Italy will send immigrants caught and rescued in the Mediterranean Sea to Albania, starting from this spring.

However, the Constitutional Court had temporarily suspended the possible ratification of the agreement after a group of 30 opposition deputies filed a lawsuit, seeking its declaration as unconstitutional and non-ratification by the Assembly.

The opposition claims that the protocol of the agreement violates the sovereignty of Albania’s territory. In its request, the opposition emphasized that “this is not about space, but about the sovereignty of exercising state authority throughout the territory”, based on the signed agreement, which envisages that in the two centers where immigrants will be received and sheltered, Italian legislation will be applied.

However, the Constitutional Court found that the protocol “does not establish territorial boundaries nor does it change the territorial integrity of the Republic of Albania”.

Meanwhile, regarding allegations of human rights violations during the implementation of this protocol, the Court said that in the two areas where this protocol will operate, Albanian law applies, in addition to Italian law, and that international law, related to migration and asylum issues, is also applicable by both parties.

“We find that there is a dual jurisdiction for human rights and freedoms, meaning that Italian jurisdiction in the two areas in question does not exclude Albanian jurisdiction,” the Court’s decision stated.

The head of the opposition Democratic Party’s group of deputies, Gazment Bardhi insisted that the agreement “violates human rights as declared by some prestigious international organizations”.

Two days after it was signed by Rama and Meloni, Amnesty International said the agreement is “illegal and unenforceable”.

What does the agreement provide?

The agreement stipulates that immigrants caught in the Mediterranean Sea and sheltered in Albania will have their accommodation financed by the Italian state.

It also stipulates that Italy will give Albania 16.5 million euros in advance within 90 days from the date of entry into force of the protocol. These funds will be used to reimburse various service expenses, according to the document.

Furthermore, the Italian side must open a dedicated current bank account at a second-tier bank exclusively for the guarantee fund.

This protocol will be in force for five years and can be renewed for another five years.

In the document published by the Albanian Government, it is emphasized that Italian authorities will bear any necessary expenses for the accommodation and treatment of immigrants, including food, health care, and any other necessary services, ensuring that this treatment respects the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals, according to international law.

Italy, according to the agreement, will finance all hospital care services, as well as equipment such as vehicles and fuel, as well as payments for lawyers. Meanwhile, Albania will provide facilities for Italian personnel working in Albania, who will be exempt from the need for visas, residence permits, and other requirements required by Albanian migration legislation.

The agreement also stipulates the obligations of Italy regarding the provision of security for immigrant reception centers, while Albania will provide security for immigrants during their transport outside these centers.