Albania's Parliament has approved a significant deal that will see the country hosting thousands of migrants rescued in international waters by Italy. The decision was made despite protests from opposition lawmakers and human rights groups.
The Parliament, which is predominantly led by Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama's left-wing Socialist Party, voted 77 to zero in favor of the deal, with no abstentions. Conservative opposition lawmakers attempted to disrupt the vote with whistles, but the approval process continued smoothly. The final step of approval will involve the president issuing a decree.
Conservative lawmakers have been actively protesting the Socialist government since October, often causing disruptions during voting sessions.
As per the terms of the five-year agreement, Albania will be responsible for housing up to 3,000 migrants at a time in two processing centers. During their stay, which is expected to last around a month, their asylum applications will be processed.
While the deal has been met with approval from some quarters, it has raised concerns among human rights activists. The European Union, on the other hand, views the agreement as a potential model for future collaborations.
