Italy’s migrant transfer deal with Albania gains EU support

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni feels vindicated in her approach to immigration, as a recent agreement with Albania is emerging as a "model" that several EU member states are now openly discussing, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. This agreement is being highlighted as part of "innovative solutions" to address irregular migration in Europe.

As the first ship carrying migrants from Italy arrived at Albania's Shengjin port, Meloni told the Italian Senate that "Italy has become a model to emulate in fighting illegal immigration." Ahead of today's European Council meeting in Brussels, the Italian prime minister announced informal meetings among EU nations most affected by migration would take place.

One such meeting, co-organized by Italy, the Netherlands, and Denmark, is set for this morning at Italy's permanent representation office in Brussels. According to a senior European diplomat, it has attracted interest from at least ten heads of state, including the Greek prime minister, as well as von der Leyen. The goal is to explore different options for returning irregular migrants.

This informal gathering, held just before the European Council summit, serves two purposes: evaluating innovative solutions put forward by certain member states, such as outsourcing asylum procedures to third-country "return hubs," and easing tensions among the 27 EU leaders, which have been brewing.

It marks the first meeting of European leaders since Germany reinstated internal Schengen checks and Poland's surprise request for a temporary halt on granting asylum to those crossing from Belarus.

A common thread among many member states is the strengthening of the EU's external border protection and speeding up return processes. In this context, Meloni is expected to again call for a revision of the EU's strategy toward Syria, a demand first made in July by seven member states, including Greece and Cyprus, now joined by northern European nations.

Though discussions are still early, given the EU has no political relations with the Assad regime, the issue is resurfacing due to the instability in the Middle East. The primary concern for neighboring countries is revising the status of certain Syrian regions to facilitate the return of asylum seekers in cooperation with the UNHCR, which would require legislative changes.