Overview
- Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi told Il Messaggero that Italy aims to have the Shengjin intake site and Gjader removal camp fully operational by next summer.
- EU member states recently reached a political deal on the Common European Asylum System that would allow return centers in non‑EU countries, including Albania, pending final adoption.
- Italian and European courts have previously barred outsourcing asylum procedures to Albania, leading to the return of some migrants to Italy.
- Built in 2023, the two facilities have seen minimal use while costing an estimated €130 million per year.
- Italy’s left‑wing opposition has long called for the closure of the Albanian sites.