The government on Friday approved a
decree allowing one of two Italian-run facilities in Albania to
be used as a repatriation centre (CPR) for irregular migrants,
including foreigners who have received an expulsion or a
detention order in Italy.
The announcement comes after the implementation of a protocol
between Rome and Tirana for the fast-track processing of asylum
seekers at two facilities Italy opened in Albania last October
has so far been stymied by Italian courts.
The centres of Gjader, which already has a CPR, and Shengjin are
currently empty after Italy's courts failed to validate the
detention of the first three groups of migrants taken there in
October, November and January.
The European Court of Justice began hearing the case on the
Italy-Albania protocol last month.
The Luxembourg judges need to examine referrals filed by Italian
courts which have yet to recognise the legitimacy of detentions
ordered against migrants rescued by Italian Navy vessels in the
Mediterranean and transferred to the other side of the Adriatic
because they come from countries considered safe by the Italian
government, namely Egypt and Bangladesh.
The EU Court is conducting the examination in an accelerated
manner, recognising the importance of the issue, and a ruling is
expected before the summer.
Under the decree approved by the government on Friday, the
facility of Gjader will have 144 places and will host irregular
migrants directly transferred from Italy, joining the national
network of CPRs.
However, its original function dedicated to accelerated border
procedures will be maintained ahead of the EU court's decision.
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