Starmer interested in the agreement between Italy and Albania on migrants

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer signaled today that he is interested in an agreement on migration between Italy and Albania as a way to solve the problem with the arrival of migrants in small boats.

Starmer said that the policy under which Tirana will receive asylum seekers on behalf of Italy while their claims are being processed is still at an early stage, but he pointed out that he is open to implementing a similar scheme for Britain, the Standard reported.

– We will be able to talk about irregular migration, as well as other things – said Starmer, speaking to journalists ahead of tomorrow’s conversation with the Italian Prime Minister.

According to him, it will be the subject of discussions with Meloni, as was the topic during the talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Starmer said that his Italian counterpart has some strong ideas and he hopes to discuss them with her. Asked if he would consider reaching an agreement similar to the one Italy struck with Albania, Starmer said he would see.

– It’s in the early stages, I’m interested in how it will work, like everyone else. It is a very, very early stage – he pointed out.

Under a five-year agreement with Italy, Albania will hold up to 3,000 refugees and migrants at any one time in two processing centers while their asylum claims are processed for a period of approximately one month.

According to the agreement, migrants will be dealt with under Italian jurisdiction.