
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni is set to visit Albania to express gratitude for the country's willingness to host thousands of asylum seekers. The visit coincides with local and European Parliament elections, where migration is a key campaign issue.
In November, Meloni and Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama signed a 5-year deal, under which Albania agreed to shelter up to 3,000 migrants rescued from international waters monthly while Italy processes their asylum claims. This could result in up to 36,000 asylum seekers being sent to Albania annually.