UK, Italy, and Albania Leaders Pledge to Intensify Cooperation on Migration

Sunak and Meloni Agree to Co-fund Repatriation Project, Amid Controversy Over Italy-Albania Migration Deal

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, and Albanian counterpart Edi Rama met in Rome to discuss irregular migration to Europe, pledging to intensify cooperation in the fight against human trafficking.
Sunak and Meloni reportedly agreed to co-fund a project of assisted voluntary repatriations to countries of origin for migrants stranded in Tunisia.
Sunak, speaking at a political gathering organized by Meloni's Brothers of Italy party, warned that failing to tackle irregular migration would overwhelm countries and erode public faith in politicians and governments.
A contentious migration deal between Italy and Albania, partly inspired by the UK government's attempts to deport asylum-seekers to Rwanda, has been suspended by the Albanian constitutional court pending a decision on challenges to the plan.
In early November, Rama and Meloni signed an initial agreement to set up two centers in Albania to process the asylum applications of migrants and refugees rescued at sea by the Italian navy, coast guard, and police vessels.