EU Court Must Avoid Risk of Compromising Repatriations, Says Italian PM

Rome: Premier Giorgia Meloni on Monday addressed the Conference of Italian prefects and police chiefs, emphasizing the need to clarify legislation defining the concept of safe countries for repatriating migrants. She urged the European Court of Justice to avoid undermining the repatriation policies of Italy and other European Union member states.

According to Ansa News Agency, Meloni stressed the importance of clarifying legislation on safe countries and expressed concerns about the argument of the supremacy of European legislation over Italian law. She pointed out that while Italian laws on safe countries are not applied, Germany continues to repatriate individuals to Afghanistan without facing any legal challenges from European courts.

Italy’s innovative yet controversial protocol with Albania, which aims to process migrants in the non-EU country to deter departures, has faced hurdles. Italian courts have halted the detention of the first three batches of migrants sent to Albania, pending a European Court of Justice ruling on safe countries of origin expected next week.

Discussing the protocol between Italy and Albania, Meloni stated that the government is determined to overcome any obstacles. She affirmed the continuation of the Albanian project, asserting the right and duty of politics to govern and take responsibility.

Meloni further highlighted that the majority of citizens have expressed a clear stance on migration issues, demanding an end to illegal immigration, which they believe leads to insecurity and a lack of integration.