As part of the bilateral agreement between Albania and Italy for the housing of migrants rescued at sea, the Albanian Council of Ministers has officially approved the establishment of a special Task Force to oversee and implement the protocol signed between the two countries. The move comes amid growing debate surrounding the legal and humanitarian implications of the deal.
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| The migrant camp in Gjadra built by the Italians |
Leadership and Composition
The Task Force will be led by the Deputy Minister of the Interior, responsible for migration affairs, and includes nine other high-ranking officials from key ministries and state institutions:
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Deputy Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs
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Deputy Minister of Defense
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Deputy Minister of Finance
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Deputy Minister of Health and Social Protection
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Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Energy
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Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces
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Director of the Border and Migration Department (State Police)
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Director of Public Order and Security Department (State Police)
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Director of Support Services Department (State Police)
Core Responsibilities
The Task Force has been assigned the following tasks:
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Drafting an Action Plan: Outlining institutional responsibilities and responses to potential unforeseen situations during the implementation of the protocol.
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Ensuring Resource Allocation: Securing financial, human, and logistical resources for all institutions involved.
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Handling Bilateral Coordination: Managing all requests and issues raised by the Italian Embassy in Tirana through the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
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Making Binding Decisions: Issuing directives to relevant structures within their fields of responsibility.
The chairperson of the Task Force will provide monthly progress reports to the Minister of the Interior. The Task Force will remain active until the full execution of the protocol is completed.
External Consultation and Flexibility
When necessary, the Task Force may invite external experts or representatives from relevant organizations to participate in meetings, especially in matters outside the direct scope of the group’s expertise. These contributions can be included in the decision-making process.
Each member of the Task Force is obligated to inform the chair of any issues within their jurisdiction, contributing to collective decisions that align with national and international standards.
Technical Secretariat Support
A Technical Secretariat will support the Task Force, composed of mid- and high-level representatives from several departments:
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Directorate of Migration, Asylum, and Anti-Trafficking Policies (Ministry of Interior)
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Directorate for Public Order and Security (Ministry of Interior)
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Consular Directorate (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs)
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Support Services Department (State Police)
Their tasks include:
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Organizing Task Force meetings
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Preparing background reports and coordinating with institutions
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Managing documents from the Italian side and ensuring appropriate follow-up
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Collecting and distributing relevant data
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Drafting reports and records of proceedings
Legal Challenges and Broader Context
While the Gjadër facility is now being used to detain migrants awaiting deportation, legal and political challenges loom. The Court of Justice of the European Union is currently reviewing a case referred by the Court of Rome, which questions the legality of transferring migrants to Albania — particularly those from countries considered "safe" by Italy, such as Egypt and Bangladesh.
Critics argue that such transfers could violate European law and international protection standards, while supporters claim the agreement reflects a new model of regional cooperation in migration management.
As scrutiny increases, both governments appear determined to maintain the framework of the agreement, with Albania now strengthening its institutional mechanisms to ensure control, accountability, and compliance with bilateral obligations.
