TIRANA – Albania says that it cannot shelter large number of refugees coming from the Middle East, but, however, it pledges to follow the policy in line with that pursued by EU countries.
This was the gist of the remarks made by the Interior Minister, Sander Lleshaj during deliberations at the parliamentary committee on European integration on Monday against the backdrop of ongoing talk that this Balkan country is preparing to host about 30,000 Syrian refugees.
“We are ready but, however, we do not have the capacity to manage large flows. We will implement the policy which is followed by EU,” Lleshaj told the members of the parliamentary committee.
The settlement of tents in some places of Albania to shelter emigrants is a media fabrication, according to the minister.
Earlier on March 8 it was reported that the first group of about 50 refugees had been accommodated at the Gerhot Reception Center, about 2 kilometers north of Gjirokastra, a town bordering Greece. The Syrian emigrants allegedly entered Albanian territory through the Kapshtica border checkpoint, according to reports. Syrians have been seen frequently even in Tirana, and capital’s citizens have revealed content of talk with them on some occasions.
Diplomatic sources had told argumentum.al on condition of anonymity that Albania should take strict standard measures in face of the influx of a great number of refugees after the decision of Turkey to abandon a migration pact with the EU reached in 2016.
In the meantime it is reported that Lleshaj touched upon other issues like coronavirus situation and the fight against organized crime during the proceedings of the parliamentary committe. He was quoted as saying that the normative act ‘Power of Law Operation’ will bring novelties in the drive to combat crime./argumentum.al
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