Meloni warns EU court against blocking migrant deal: Unacceptable
2024-12-17 13:09:55
TiranaPost
Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni asked the European Court of Justice (ECJ) on Tuesday to reject objections to her government's flagship plan to send migrants by sea to Albania. EU judges have been asked to weigh in on the deal by Italian courts, which have angered Meloni by blocking the transfer of migrants to Italian-run detention centers in Albania, saying it was against EU law.
Speaking in the lower house of parliament ahead of a summit of EU leaders, Meloni said clarity was needed “on an issue that has been the subject of recent judicial measures with an ideological flavour.” If the ECJ were to confirm these measures, “this would risk compromising… the repatriation policies of all member states,” at least until the new asylum bloc’s rules are fully implemented in 2026, she said.
"(This is) a worrying and unacceptable prospect that must be resolutely prevented," Meloni said.
