UK and Italy agree on new solutions for managing migration

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed a shared commitment to exploring innovative solutions and stepping up efforts to combat human trafficking as the two met in Rome to discuss new approaches to managing migration, focusing on the Italy-Albania model.

"Starmer and I agree that we should not be afraid to explore new solutions for managing migration," said Meloni during a press conference alongside Starmer on Monday.

The meeting, which lasted about 30 minutes longer than expected, was a one-on-one conversation with no aides present.

Meloni said one of the main topics discussed was the Italian-Albanian deal to manage migration, adding that she had given Starmer "elements to better understand the mechanism," in which she said the UK government had shown "great interest."

The Italy-Albania protocol, signed last November by Meloni and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, aims to provide reception facilities in Albania for asylum seekers picked up by Italian authorities in international waters. The individuals would have their applications processed in Albania before being transferred to Italy or another country.

"The model we’ve envisioned - processing asylum requests in centres under Italian and European jurisdiction in a foreign country - had not been tried before. If it works, and I believe it will, everyone will understand that this is a turning point, even as a deterrent to relying on criminals," Meloni explained.

Starmer was accompanied on his trip by Martin Hewitt, the head of a task force set up by the Labour government to tackle illegal crossings on the UK's shores as part of an initiative to replace the now-scrapped Rwanda scheme.

Some members of the British majority and NGOs have criticised Starmer's trip to Italy, as reported by the Guardian, accusing him of “copying the illegal immigration plans of Italy's far-right government.”

Human rights campaigners have also strongly opposed the Italy-Albania protocol, but Meloni remained unperturbed during the press conference.

"I believe I have clearly explained that the jurisdiction is Italian and European. Either one believes that our jurisdiction violates migrants’ human rights, or this accusation is unfounded,” she said.

Meloni also highlighted the agreement reached with her British counterpart to "intensify the fight against human trafficking by strengthening security efforts and enhancing cooperation between police forces and intelligence services, focusing on the heart of this issue: follow the money."

Starmer also commented on the matter, saying, “You have made significant progress by working hand-in-hand with countries along the migration routes to address the root causes of migration and dismantle criminal networks. As a result, illegal sea arrivals in Italy have decreased by 60% since 2022.”

(Alessia Peretti | Euractiv.it)