Britain says it is talking to certain countries to establish immigration return hubs
British Prime Minister said Thursday Tilana (AP) in Albania – The British Prime Minister said on Thursday that the UK is talking to several countries in anticipation of asylum seekers who are deported.
Prime Minister Kier Starmer said during a visit to Albania that the concept of a return center is a “very important innovation” that can more effectively address immigration inflows. He did not name the country he discussed or provided more details.
Albania has reached a five-year deal with Italy that can shelter up to 36,000 migrants a year, while Rome quickly tracks their asylum requirements. Under the agreement, Italy will cancel any immigration denied requests, who may be deported. The program does not cover children and pregnant women.
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said the deal with Italy was a “one concern” issue, and Tilana rejected several requests for the same deal with other countries.
The British Prime Minister said the joint task force with Albania helped greatly reduce the number of Albanian immigrants trying to reach the UK. He added that his government is in talks with the Western Balkan countries to create similar task forces aimed at reducing bureaucratic entanglements, which hinders progress towards reducing immigration.
The number of Albanians who crossed the UK channel on an insecure inflatable raft to find high-paying jobs dropped from 12,000 in 2022 to around 600 in 2024.
“There's an incredible reduction,” Steamer said in a Rama news conference. “And I think it's a signal and an example of what two countries can do when they work together in this way.”
In 2022, top British officials called the arrival of Albanians a “invasion”, triggering diplomatic quarrels. Rama called it a “crazy narrative” and tried to cover up Britain's failed border policy. Albanians cannot seek asylum status in the UK, who considers Albania a safe country.
That same year, London and Tilana signed an agreement to return to London's British ship Albanians also funded projects, especially in the northeastern Albania where most illegal new immigrants came from.
Rama promised to continue her partnership with the UK to stop the arrival of immigration from Albania.
Starmer's visit to Albania was the first British Prime Minister. He will also attend the European Political and Social Summit in Tilana on Friday, which brings together European leaders to promote security and prosperity throughout the continent.
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