Italy to create asylum seeker centres in Albania, Giorgia Meloni says

Neighbouring country would house up to 3,000 people rescued at sea by Italian boats, with some exceptions for vulnerable groups

Italy's far-right government has announced plans to create centres in Albania to accommodate asylum seekers, the prime minister said on Monday, hailing it as a historic" deal with Tirana to manage migration flows.

I am pleased to announce with Albanian prime minister Edi Rama a memorandum of understanding between Italy and Albania concerning the management of migration flows," said Giorgia Meloni. Italy is Albania's top trading partner. There is already close collaboration in the fight against illegality."