Albania: Refugee reception centers spark controversy

Italy and Albania have agreed on a migration agreement on the placement of refugees; local residents are “not happy.”

The decision has sparked controversy, with some disagreeing and others welcoming it. Euronews correspondent talked with residents of the city of Shengini, 75 km from Tirana, where one of the centers is planned to be located after the agreement comes into force. Many residents do not agree with the initiative of Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama:

“It will only bring problems. Shengini is a tourist destination that should be used for just that.” “I completely disagree with either the Prime Minister or Georgia Meloni. Let Meloni keep them!” “This is not good! Tell Edi Rama not to bring these people here, but to send them to the south. Perhaps he is doing this on purpose so that tourism, our tourism, does not grow.”

But there are also those who approve of the decision of the Albanian Prime Minister. One of the residents of Shengini says:

“This is excellent. I’m glad we signed this deal. Both Afghans and Africans are good people. They will bring their culture. Plus it will create new jobs.”

First refugee reception centers will accommodate up to 3000 people. Refugee applicants will remain there while their application is processed, after which they will return to Italy or be repatriated. First of all, migrants rescued in the Mediterranean Sea will be sent there.

Opponents of the initiative argue that monitoring whether conditions of detention in those outside EU the camps will be difficult. And they will become real “Italian Guantanamo”.