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European Court examines Italy's refugee plans

2025-02-25 08:23:00, Aktualitet CNA

European Court examines Italy's refugee plans

This Tuesday, the European Court of Justice begins a consultation to clarify whether the Italian government's plan to process asylum applications in a third country is in line with EU law.

For the first time this Tuesday (25.02.2025) the European Court in Luxembourg begins the process of examining the model initiated by the Italian government for the rapid return of illegal refugees, who come across the Mediterranean Sea without touching EU territory by relocating them to shelters set up in Albania. The process aims to clarify the issue of whether and on what premises the asylum applications of refugees coming from the Mediterranean can be processed and decided on in a country outside the EU territory.

It could be months before the decision is announced. The process is part of plans by the government of right-wing Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Italy is the first EU country to set up refugee accommodation facilities outside the EU, setting them up in Albania from October 2024. In this complex, Italian officials are to decide on asylum applications submitted by refugees caught illegally crossing the Mediterranean Sea, hoping to enter EU territory in the hope of a better life. The aim of accelerated procedures in a third country like Albania is to return refugees to their country of origin as quickly as possible. Other European countries are closely following such plans.

Who defines a safe third country?

This model has not worked so far. The Italian judiciary has suspended the government's plans three times since October 2024. All 66 people who were transported to Albania have been sent to Italy.

The European Court will examine whether a government has the power to draw up a list of safe third countries and whether it has the right to determine the criteria for classifying a country as safe. It will also be clarified whether a country can be considered safe, whether it is not safe for everyone and whether courts are allowed to use their own sources of information to verify the expedited procedure./ DW





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