Oct 11, 2024 — The construction of immigrant reception centers in Gjadër and Shengjin has reached completion, preparing to process asylum seekers bound for Italy. According to the Italian media outlet il Giornale, the Gjadër center was delivered for testing on October 10, while the Shengjin center is already operational.
Set to accommodate up to 3,800 adults, the centers will play a crucial role in managing the influx of immigrants seeking asylum in Italy. Upon arrival, individuals will undergo an application process. Those who do not qualify for asylum will be deported to designated “safe” countries as part of an agreement between the Italian and Albanian governments.
Italy is committing substantial resources to this initiative, providing a contingent of 500 personnel. This includes 45 police and military officers, alongside health workers and Ministry of Justice staff, at an estimated cost of 252 million euros.
Initially, the Shengjin port center will process arrivals with an initial capacity of 880 seats. Successful asylum seekers will subsequently be transferred to the larger Gjadër center for further processing.
As the centers prepare to welcome their first residents next week, this development underscores ongoing efforts to address immigration challenges in Europe.
