A government meeting on Friday
decided that it will be possible to take irregular migrants in
Italy to an Italian-run centre in Albania, which will be used as
any other repatriation centre (CPR).
The announcement comes after the implementation of a protocol
between Rome and Tirana for the fast-track processing of asylum
seekers at two facilities in Albania, one of which includes a
CPR, has so far been stymied by Italy's courts.
The centres of Shengjin and Gjader, which were opened last
October, are currently empty after Italian 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 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.
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