Albin Kurti does not consider a repetition of the migrant agreement between Italy and Albania as a solution. On the contrary, in an interview for Euractiv, the prime minister of Kosovo claims that this may raise concerns for human rights.
“If repatriation centers similar to those in Albania can be built in other countries of the Western Balkans, how can we ensure that the rights of imprisoned individuals are respected?”, he said, adding that such centers would burden in the consciousness of the citizens of the Balkans and those of the European Union.
Kurti admits that if an emergency situation dictates, a temporary acceptance of immigrants can be considered, however, he does not express himself against the idea of repeating the Italian model.
“We are talking about human beings here, who should be treated with care”, is his comment.
The article recalls how after the withdrawal of the US from Afghanistan and the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in August 2021, Kosovo – like Albania and North Macedonia – received several hundred Afghans evacuated by the US army, sheltering them in NATO bases -s before they moved to various western countries.
A few days ago, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von Der Leyen, hinted that she sees the agreement between Albania and Italy as an example of success, and even in a letter sent to the heads of member states, she called on them to use it as a model for solve the crises caused by the influx of illegal immigrants.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also showed special interest in the agreement in September, who during the meeting with the Italian counterpart, Giorgia Meloni, said that the agreement which will examine some of the asylum requests of migrants rescued at sea trying to reach land Italian, has received the attention of official London, which will wait to see its results.
