Accompanied by Prime Minister Edi Rama, Meloni inspected the works in the migrant camp.

After the visit to Gjadër, Meloni and Rama gave a press conference.

PM Meloni said that, “The reception centers in Shengjin and the accommodation structures in Gjadër will start operating on August 1, 2024. Security in these two areas, as well as the transport of migrants, will be the responsibility of the Italian authorities.”

“The focus of the agreement is also the fight against illegal human trafficking, criminal groups in the field of immigration, as well as any form of illegal migration,” said Meloni.

Meloni also said that, “The agreement signed between Italy and Albania can be part of the solution to the problem of illegal migration in the EU, which has been a concern for the European family since 1991”.

Regarding the claims of the Italian media, Meloni emphasized that, “An international partner is being attacked. Not only is the Italian government being damaged, but also Italy as a country”.

On his part, PM Rama said that, “In regard to the agreement for immigrants with the Italian state, the Albanian state has not made any calculations and has not earned a single euro”.

PM Rama and PM of Italy Giorgia Meloni signed on November 6, 2023 in Rome the agreement for the construction in Albania of a center for sheltering migrants. According to the agreement, the center will be located in Gjadër of Lezha and will have a maximum capacity of 3,000 people. The agreement stipulates that all expenses will be borne by Italy, while the Italian side will proceed with the asylum requests.

Persons whose asylum procedure will not be approved will be repatriated to their countries, according to the bilateral agreements that the Italian side has with those countries. The duration of the agreement will be 5 years./k.s/p.s./