Oct 16, 2024 – A ship carrying 16 migrants from Bangladesh and Egypt arrived today at the port of Shëngjin, Albania, following an interception by Italian authorities in international waters.
The migrants, 10 from Bangladesh and 6 from Egypt, had been travelling in small dinghies launched from the Libyan coast. Italian officials transferred them to the military vessel “Libra,” where they underwent preliminary checks to ensure they met the criteria outlined by the Albania-Italy migration agreement. These conditions include being male and originating from countries considered safe and non-vulnerable.
The centers in Shëngjin and nearby Gjadër, which had been delayed, were opened last week as part of the broader cooperation between Albania and Italy. The agreement, signed last year by Prime Ministers Edi Rama of Albania and Giorgia Meloni of Italy, aims to curb irregular migration, prevent human trafficking, and admit only those with valid claims for international protection.
The operation represents a key step in strengthening bilateral efforts to address the challenges of migration across the Mediterranean.
