Next week, the first immigrants are expected to arrive at the two immigrant centers set up in Shengjin and Gjadër in Lezha, which Italy has built to relocate the asylum procedures, according to Italian media.
In an interview with the Italian media "La Repubblica", Prime Minister Edi Rama states that "the construction and management of the centers is something that has absolutely nothing to do with the Albanian government".
The head of the Albanian government emphasizes that what happens inside the camp "does not concern us, as it is the responsibility of the Italian side".
Prime Minister Rama underlined that based on the agreement, it is foreseen that they cannot leave the camp and travel freely to Albania. And if this were to happen, Rama added, "an approved action plan will be set in motion".
The full interview of Prime Minister Rama for the Italian media "La Repubblica"
Has the Italian government announced the opening of immigrant centers in Albania within a few hours, is that so?
Rama: Your government has never lied to us and does not forget any of the many commitments it has made for us. However, I do not represent any authority of truth to verify what the Italian government claims about matters that concern you and not us. The construction and management of the centers is something that has absolutely nothing to do with the Albanian government. It does not belong to us".
The centers were supposed to be ready in May, do you know the reasons for this delay?
Rama: I can explain why a large public project in Albania is currently delayed due to problems of a geological nature, but I cannot tell you if and why there is a delay in this project of your government. Similar delays occur on more than one occasion and do not surprise even our accurate and good German friends, I know that for sure.
Did you know that the first immigrants are expected to arrive next week?
Rama: No, I don't know, because they will be accompanied by the Italian authorities in a country that is under Italian jurisdiction. Both during the journey to the camp and during the stay, there is no interference with our authorities.
Have you talked to Melon lately? There will be no ribbon cutting for this project.
Rama: No, I don't know, we haven't talked about it since she was here to do site inspections"
Some European countries want to copy the Italy-Albania agreement. What do you think about this?
Rama: It might be repetitive, but first I would have to understand who is the other de facto couple in Europe, consisting of an EU member state and a European state that is not yet a member of the EU. : at the moment I have a hard time seeing it.
Are you worried that the pact could fail because of legal obstacles to keeping immigrants?
Rama: The agreement stipulates that immigrants cannot leave the camp and travel freely to Albania. If this were to happen, an agreed action plan would be set in motion: our security and justice institutions and agencies have worked closely together for years to fight organized crime. I will be concerned if and when there is cause for concern, and only if Italy asks us to share the concern. Until then, I'm not worried. In fact, I am very calm, because the relationship between Italy and Albania, during these decades, has taught me that when Albania needs to worry, it is never alone. Thanks to Italy, first of all. And then, to put it bluntly, when at the head of the government in Italy there is someone who insists on always facing, you can move forward with confidence even against any unexpected disaster.