Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has strongly criticized the UK’s proposed asylum plans, labeling them a sign of post-Brexit Britain being in a "very dark place." His remarks have ignited a broader debate on migrant policies, international relations, and the ethical implications of outsourcing asylum processing to third countries.

Albanian PM Slams UK Asylum Plans

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has voiced strong disapproval of the UK’s plans to establish "return hubs" in third countries for failed asylum seekers. During an interview, Rama stated that the idea of Britain "looking for places to dump immigrants" would have been unimaginable a decade ago. He attributed this shift to a post-Brexit public discourse where previously "unacceptable, ridiculous, and shameful" concepts have become normalized.

  • Rama’s comments came a month after UK Labour leader Keir Starmer announced talks with several countries regarding these return hubs, a move aimed at curbing illegal Channel crossings.
  • Despite Starmer’s visit to Albania, Rama explicitly stated that his country would not host such a UK-led hub, having previously rejected similar proposals from former Prime Ministers Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak.

Italy’s Controversial Migrant Deal with Albania

In contrast to his stance on the UK’s proposals, Edi Rama highlighted Albania’s "very special relationship" with Italy, which led to a similar agreement. Under this deal, Italy established a detention and repatriation center in Gjader, Albania, for migrants rescued in international waters or those whose asylum claims have been rejected.

  • Recent reports indicate that five Egyptian migrants were secretly repatriated directly from the Gjader camp to Cairo in May. This operation has drawn widespread condemnation from migration activists.
  • Activists argue that direct deportations from a non-EU member state like Albania violate existing EU and Italian national laws, as deportations by an EU member state should not occur from the territory of a third country.
  • The European Commission has remained largely silent on the matter, with a spokesperson stating that Italian national law applies within the Gjader center, aligning with EU law. However, critics contend that transporting migrants outside the center onto Albanian territory for direct repatriation is illegal.
  • The Gjader camp has reportedly cost Italy around one billion euros and has faced significant legal challenges, with Italian judges initially refusing to validate migrant detentions in Albania due to EU law concerns.
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Broader Implications and Albania’s European Aspirations

Rama’s outspoken criticism of the UK’s asylum plans comes amidst Albania’s accelerated efforts to join the European Union. He believes that EU accession negotiations could conclude by 2027, with Albania becoming a full member by 2030. This renewed confidence is partly attributed to a "geopolitically driven spirit" within the EU following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

  • Rama also controversially suggested that Donald Trump’s potential re-election would be beneficial for Europe, as it would "wake Europe up" from its complacency.
  • Despite his international focus, Rama faces domestic criticism regarding corruption and accusations of creeping authoritarianism, as he is set to become Albania’s longest-serving leader since Enver Hoxha.

Sources

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