Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni called on the European Court of Justice on Tuesday not to challenge her government's key plan to send migrants to Albania.
European judges have been asked to review the scheme by Italian courts, which have angered Meloni by blocking the transfer of migrants to Italian shelters in Italy on the grounds that it contravenes EU law.
Speaking in the lower house of parliament on the eve of a summit of the bloc's leaders, Meloni stated that clarity was needed on the issue that, he said, has been subject to ideologically flavored legal measures.
If the European Court of Justice were to confirm these measures, it would risk compromising the repatriation policies of all member states, at least until the bloc's new asylum rules are adopted in 2026. This is a worrying and unacceptable prospect that must be firmly prevented.
Under the Italian plan, only adults and men who do not belong to vulnerable categories from countries considered safe would be able to be sent to asylum centers in Albania and then repatriated under an expedited procedure if their asylum claims are rejected. .
The scheme has sparked the interest of other European countries which are looking for ways to reduce unauthorized immigration. Italian judges have questioned the agreement, claiming that according to a European court ruling, which is not specifically related to Italy, no country of origin can be considered safe if only a part of it is dangerous.
A second decision from the European Court of Justice would help resolve the case, but it is not expected to come soon. Italy has stopped sending migrants to Albania and the shelter centers remain empty.
However, Meloni repeatedly repeats that she is confident that her plan will work. (A2 Televizion)
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