Meloni presents Italy-Albania deal at Brussels meeting

(ANSA) - BRUSSELS, OCT 17 - Premier Giorgia Meloni on Thursday presented the agreement her government has reached with Tirana for Italian-run migrant centres on Albanian territory during an informal meeting on migration with 10 member States in Brussels before the EU summit, her office said.
    "Meloni, together with the Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, and the Dutch Prime Minister, Dick Schoof, held an informal meeting this morning with some of the Member States that have the most interest in the migration issue and in particular the matter of innovative solutions," the premier's office said.
    "In addition to Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands and the European Commission, the meeting was also attended by the leaders of Austria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Malta, Poland and Slovakia.
    "In particular, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen outlined the main points of action indicated in Monday's letter on migration, including the matter of innovative solutions.
    "President (of the Council of Ministers) Meloni presented the Italy-Albania agreement, the day after the first irregular migrants arrived at the port of Shengjin, underlining its role in the fight against human traffickers.
    "The leaders' discussion focused on the 'safe third country' concept ahead of implementation of the rules under the new Pact on Migration and Asylum and on cooperation along the migration routes with the UNHCR and IOM regarding assisted voluntary returns, as well as on 'return hubs'.
    "The leaders in attendance agreed to continue to maintain close operational coordination, also in view of the next European Council meetings, with the aim of strengthening the European Union's migration policy and making it increasingly effective".
    (ANSA).