Albanian PM rules out additional migration agreements similar to Italy pact
During a press conference in Madrid, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama ruled out the possibility of signing agreements with other countries similar to the migration pact with Italy. He emphasized that Albania’s agreement with Italy was based on special historical ties and that no similar deal would be made with other EU nations despite ongoing interest.
Why is this important: The November 2023 agreement between Albania and Italy, which allows for the construction of an asylum-seeker camp in northern Albania, sparked interest across Europe as a potential solution to managing migration flows. Several EU countries have approached Albania to negotiate similar deals. Rama has categorically rejected these offers, citing Albania’s unique relationship with Italy, which has provided significant support to the country over the past three decades.
Context: Rama avoided discussing reports that the Italian agreement has encountered implementation issues, calling it an internal matter for the Italian government and judiciary.
“Questions about the agreement should be directed to my Italian counterpart, Georgia Meloni. Albania’s role is straightforward. Italy asked for help, and we always assist because of our strong historical ties. The entire operation is under Italian oversight, including security, legal procedures, and management,” Rama explained.
What else: The Albanian Prime Minister also commented on Europe’s broader migration challenges, stating that he does not believe such agreements are a long-term solution.
“Europe is in a difficult position. On one hand, it faces illegal migration and porous borders. On the other hand, it must confront a dramatic demographic decline. Europe needs to fight illegal migration but also requires more legal migrants,” he said.
Rama warned against politicizing migration policy, arguing that framing it as a cultural battle could damage Europe’s core values.
“This issue should not become a political weapon where leaders compete to appear tougher on migration to win votes. We need a unified policy that balances stronger border control with legal migration and cooperation with origin countries,” Rama concluded.
What’s next: Rama’s rejection of further migration deals sends a clear message to other EU nations. While he acknowledges the need for comprehensive migration reform across Europe, he reiterated Albania’s position of non-cooperation beyond its existing pact with Italy.
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