Italy’s Interior Minister, Matteo Piantedosi, expressed optimism about resuming transfers of irregular migrants to reception centres in Albania. He highlighted recent legislative measures addressing “safe countries,” which he believes will lay the groundwork to overcome any remaining uncertainties.
In an interview with La Stampa on Tuesday, Piantedosi revealed that the transfers are currently unnecessary due to effective measures curbing departures from Libya and Tunisia. These measures, he said, are part of broader efforts to manage irregular migration flows.
The minister also expressed confidence that upcoming rulings by the European Court of Justice would validate the legality of the bilateral agreement between Italy and Albania, under which these transfers are managed. He emphasised that such centres are critical components of the European Union’s innovative strategies to combat human trafficking and irregular migration.
Piantedosi underscored significant progress in reducing irregular arrivals, reporting a 60% decrease in 2024 compared to the previous year and a 38% drop compared to 2022. Additionally, deportations increased by 16% for the second consecutive year, reflecting Italy’s commitment to controlling migration flows effectively.
The minister’s comments come amid ongoing collaboration between Italy and North African countries, particularly Libya and Tunisia, to address migration at its source. These partnerships focus on enhancing border security and tackling human trafficking networks, ensuring a collective approach to regional stability and migration management.
