«The Albania project, in which we have registered the strong interest of 15 European countries and above all of the President of the European Commission, responds to the Government’s priority objective of preventing and combating irregular migratory flows and will be able to play an important deterrence function in the future , with consequent benefits that will also be reflected in the work and tasks of the Police Force.” Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said this during Question Time in the Chamber, responding to a question on the 16 migrants transferred to Albania, 12 of whom then returned to Italy following an order from the Court of Rome. «In my opinion, prejudicial attention has been paid to a single migrant recovery and transfer operation carried out by public naval assets, if we take into account that the numbers of operations of a similar type in the last decade show an average of hundreds of interventions per year, with peaks of arrivals, in certain periods, which have had an exceptional burden on the burdens on public finances, as well as on the reception system – added Piantedosi -. This is an economic burden (around two billion euros in 2023 alone), as well as a management one, which the Government in office inherited from previous eras of resignation and absence of any reaction to the massive and uncontrolled arrivals.”
«This Government, in fact, since its inauguration has dedicated important resources to the entire sector, starting with the hiring fund of the budget law for 2023, which is making it possible to rejuvenate and strengthen the workforce. In 2023 alone there were 15,000 new hires, of which over 3,500 in addition to the turnover – concluded Piantedosi -. Even in the recent financial measures being examined by Parliament, starting from the 100 million for the overtime of the police force and the fire brigade, important allocations have been made for the imminent contractual renewal and investments intended for the strengthening and modernization of means and structures We have always had and continue to have the safety of citizens as a priority, after years and previous governments which considered the security system a cost factor and not an investment; wrong choice and not without effects that we are still struggling to reverse.”
Not only that. The head of the Interior Ministry also provided the true numbers of the transfer to migrant centers, the costs of which the opposition had lashed out at. «The real cost of the Libra ship’s commitment turned out to be 8,400 euros in total, net of the ordinary daily running costs of the ship. A daily cost that was significantly lower than what was incurred in times of great celebration of operations, such as ‘Mare Nostrum’, which required costs of 300,000 euros per day”, states Piantedosi.
#real #costs #Time
**Interview with Dr. Sofia Marconi, Migration Policy Expert**
**Interviewer:** Dr. Marconi, thank you for joining us today. Italy recently began transferring migrants to Albania under a new deal. Can you explain the rationale behind this agreement?
**Dr. Marconi:** Thank you for having me. The primary goal of this agreement is to manage irregular migration more effectively and alleviate the pressure on Italy’s reception systems. By sending “non-vulnerable” men from “safe” countries to Albania, Italy aims to streamline the process and reduce the financial burden that irregular migration has placed on the state.
**Interviewer:** Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi mentioned this plan as a deterrence mechanism. How effective do you think that will be?
**Dr. Marconi:** Deterrence is often cited as a key strategy in migration policy. The hope is that by implementing stricter controls and partnerships like this, potential migrants will reconsider their journeys. However, whether it will actually deter migration remains to be seen. Factors such as economic conditions, conflict, and family reunification still play significant roles that can’t be easily influenced by policy alone.
**Interviewer:** Italy is planning to send up to 36,000 migrants a year under this scheme. What are the potential implications for both Italy and Albania?
**Dr. Marconi:** For Italy, this could provide short-term relief by redistributing the migrant population and easing the pressure on local resources. For Albania, participating in this agreement can be seen as a step towards greater international cooperation, but it might also strain their own resources if not managed properly. The quality of care and support for these migrants in Albania will be vital.
**Interviewer:** There have been reports that some migrants sent to Albania have already returned to Italy. How does this affect the overall effectiveness of the program?
**Dr. Marconi:** This return highlights the complexities of migration management. It shows that simply transferring individuals does not solve the underlying issues. If migrants perceive that their needs, including the right to seek asylum, are not being met in Albania, they may continue to seek alternatives in Italy or elsewhere.
**Interviewer:** Dr. Marconi, what should be the key focus areas for European countries in managing migration in the future?
**Dr. Marconi:** European countries should focus on creating a coherent and humane migration policy that balances border security with the rights and needs of migrants. Investments in integration programs, supporting countries facing high immigration pressure, and addressing the root causes of migration through international cooperation will be essential moving forward.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Marconi, for your insights on this crucial topic.
**Dr. Marconi:** Thank you for having me.