Downing Street has hailed Italy’s “innovative” deal to send migrants to Albania for processing – just days after Sir Keir Starmer scrapped the UK’s Rwanda asylum plan
Sir Keir Starmer and his Albanian counterpart Edi Rama discussed the scheme as well as security at the European Political Community (EPC) summit at Blenheim Palace today.
The pair discussed support to Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression as well as an agreement to strengthen bonds.
Italy’s government had previously stated that their Albania partnership cannot be compared to Britain’s now defunct bid to send irregular asylum seekers to Rwanda.
Sir Keir Starmer and Albanian PM Edi Rama
PA
Edi Rama
PA
A Downing Street spokeswoman said: “The Prime Minister was pleased to get time to sit with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama at today’s EPC.
“The two leaders discussed issues of European security including migration, specifically innovative solutions such as the Italy-Albania partnership.
“They also discussed support to Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression; and UK co-operation in the Western Balkans. The Prime Ministers agreed to continue to strengthen the relationship between our two countries.”
More to come…