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Albania's model in other countries too? DW: Merz sees asylum procedures possible in countries outside the EU

Politiko 2025-05-18 11:07:35

Albania's model in other countries too? DW: Merz sees asylum procedures

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz sees the possibility of developing asylum procedures in countries outside the EU to curb irregular migration to Europe. During his first visit as Chancellor to Rome, Friedrich Merz (CDU) called for cooperation with third countries to curb irregular migration to Europe. “We agreed to fight irregular migration in the European Union more resolutely than before,” Merz said on Saturday (17.05.) at a joint press conference with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

“The initiatives taken by Italy in recent months, especially with some Mediterranean countries, have been extremely successful. These are good initiatives that we also support in Germany,” Merz said. Merz also wants to verify the Italian model with Albania. Regarding the temporary ban on these plans in Italy by the judiciary, the CDU leader said during his first visit as chancellor to Rome that he was aware of the court decisions. “But of course this could still be an option,” he added.

Empty center in Albania
The coalition in Rome, made up of three right-wing and conservative parties, seeks to move asylum procedures for migrants caught in the Mediterranean to Albania, but this has been blocked several times by the courts. The European Court of Justice is currently examining whether such treatment of migrants is in line with European law. The specially built camps in Albania have been largely empty for months. So far, the model has not worked.

Merz said that the relocation of asylum procedures would be considered regardless of the experience in Italy. This is “certainly not the solution to the problem”. “It is a contribution to making the problem smaller”. Merz also insisted on the rapid implementation of the European asylum reform and the expansion of cooperation within the EU in the fight against irregular migration. “We will no longer press the brakes when it comes to solving problems in the European Union.”/DW

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