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Italy Launches Controversial Migrant Camp in Albania

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Italy, the European Union’s top destination for migrants, is beginning a new chapter in its migration policy by opening its first camp in Albania, part of a plan to “offshore” the migrant challenge. This initiative allows Italy to house up to 3,000 migrants per month who are rescued while attempting to reach its shores. The Shengjin camp, now operational, is set to manage migrants picked up in international waters, though it excludes women, children, and vulnerable individuals.

The Italian government has fully funded the construction of these facilities, which will operate under Italian and European legislation, according to Fabrizio Bucci, Italy’s ambassador in Albania. Once in the camp, migrants can apply for asylum in Italy; those whose requests are denied will be sent back to countries considered safe.

The agreement between the Italian and Albanian governments is set for five years, with the possibility of extension if successful in alleviating Italy’s migration burden. This year, Italy has seen about 31,000 sea arrivals, down over 50% from 2023, signaling a shift in migration trends. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who campaigned on strict migration policies, has made the Albania initiative a cornerstone of her administration.

However, the plan has faced scrutiny over its estimated cost of over €650 million (£547), with critics like MP Riccardo Magi calling it excessive for detaining a limited number of migrants. Concerns have also been raised about the ability to adequately screen rescued individuals for vulnerabilities.

Despite criticism, the initiative has garnered support from 15 EU member states, who see it as a potential model for addressing migration. As Albania seeks EU membership, the agreement could bolster its international standing, though some remain skeptical about the motivations behind it. If successful, this model may pave the way for similar arrangements with other countries in the future.

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Balkans hit by blackouts as heatwave persists

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On Friday, four Balkan countries—Albania, Bosnia, Montenegro, and significant parts of the Croatian coast—experienced simultaneous power outages lasting several hours amid a summer heatwave. The blackouts, which began at 13:00 local time (11:00 GMT), were triggered by a surge in power demand as residents used air conditioning to cope with the high temperatures, which approached 40°C.

In Bosnia and Croatia, the outages disrupted traffic lights, leading to transportation chaos in major cities such as Sarajevo and Split. Montenegro’s capital, Podgorica, saw even water pumps cease operation. Power suppliers managed to largely restore electricity by the evening but were still investigating the cause of the failure within the interconnected power systems of the four nations.

The power loss affected Croatia’s tourism sector, with Dubrovnik’s restaurants, pubs, and supermarkets closing and leaving tourists in disarray. Montenegro’s Energy Minister, Sasa Mujovic, attributed the blackouts to a sudden spike in power consumption due to the heat. Reports from Montenegro’s Vijesti TV mentioned a fire in a power transmission line near the Bosnian border, though its connection to the blackouts was unclear.

In Albania, power was restored within half an hour, but officials warned of a high risk of further outages due to continued high energy usage. The western Balkans are transitioning from coal-based energy production, a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, to solar energy. However, industry officials indicate that the aging power infrastructure is not yet fully equipped to handle this shift.

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Serbia Threatens Euro 2024 Exit Over Fan Chants

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Serbia has threatened to withdraw from Euro 2024 due to chants between fans during the Croatia-Albania match on Wednesday, where chants about the killing of Serbians were heard during the 2-2 Group B draw. Jovan Surbatovic, the general secretary of the Serbian Football Association, called for severe sanctions from UEFA, stating, “What happened is scandalous and we will ask [European governing body] Uefa for sanctions, even if it means not continuing the competition.”

Serbia, part of Group C, lost 1-0 to England in their tournament opener on Sunday. Surbatovic expressed confidence that punishments would follow, especially after UEFA revoked the credentials of Kosovar journalist Arlind Sadiku. Sadiku made a provocative double-handed eagle gesture, symbolizing Albania’s national flag, towards Serbian fans during the England game, exacerbating tensions between Serbian nationalists and ethnic Albanians, predominantly in Kosovo.

Surbatovic demanded that UEFA sanction both federations involved, indicating Serbia’s willingness to reconsider their participation if no actions were taken. The Serbian FA also sent a letter to UEFA’s general secretary Theodore Theodoridis, condemning the “shameful joint chanting.”

The BBC reached out to UEFA for comments on the issue. Serbia was previously fined £12,250 for fan misconduct during the England match, and both Serbia and Albania faced fines for displaying nationalist banners during their opening matches.

Surbatovic claimed, “We were punished for isolated cases and our fans behaved much better than the others,” emphasizing that the actions of a single fan should not tarnish the entire Serbian fanbase. He appealed to Serbian fans to continue demonstrating gentlemanly conduct.

Serbia’s next game is against Slovenia at 14:00 BST on Thursday.

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EU: Bosnia and Herzegovina to begin talks to join bloc

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Bosnia and Herzegovina is set to begin negotiations for EU membership, marking a significant milestone eight years after the formal application was submitted. Following a recommendation from the European Commission last week, EU leaders have approved the initiation of talks. European Council President Charles Michel extended congratulations to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s leaders, affirming their place within the European family. He emphasized the importance of continued efforts for progress, a sentiment echoed by Borjana Krišto, Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who expressed gratitude for achieving the necessary compliance with EU requirements.

The approval for Bosnia’s EU talks has been welcomed as a positive development by leaders across Europe. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hailed it as a good message for the entire region, while Croatia’s Prime Minister Andrej Plenković described it as a historic day for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The road to EU membership has been long for Bosnia, with the country formally obtaining candidate status in 2022 after applying for membership in 2016. In the past year, Bosnia has made strides in passing laws aligned with EU priorities, particularly focusing on areas such as democracy, the rule of law, fundamental rights, and public administration reform.

Despite progress, Bosnia remains ethnically and politically divided, a legacy of the 1992-95 war. Further economic and democratic reforms will be necessary before formal EU accession can occur.

The EU’s commitment to the Western Balkans has been underscored by recent events, particularly in light of the conflict in Ukraine. Other countries in the region, including Albania, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, and Ukraine, are also at various stages of the EU application process.

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Russia’s Rejection from UN Human Rights Council Membership

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Russia’s ambition to regain its seat at the United Nations’ Human Rights Council was dealt a significant blow as the nation failed to secure a new three-year term. Russia’s expulsion from the council in April of the previous year, prompted by its military incursion into Ukraine, had led the country to campaign vigorously for reinstatement, aiming to exploit divisions among UN member states regarding support for Ukraine.

Nonetheless, Bulgaria and Albania managed to secure the two available seats designated for Eastern European countries. The voting took place in the aftermath of a Russian missile attack in northeastern Ukraine, which resulted in the tragic loss of 52 lives.

The final tally revealed Russia receiving 83 votes in favor, a number that fell short of securing a seat. In contrast, Bulgaria received 160 votes, while Albania garnered 123. Russia’s vigorous campaign, which included offering incentives such as grain and arms to smaller nations, failed to garner sufficient support.

Throughout the process, Moscow had voiced its commitment to finding “adequate solutions for human rights issues” and expressed a desire to prevent the council from becoming an “instrument serving the political interests of a specific group of countries,” which was perceived to be a reference to Western nations.

Diplomats speculated that Russia had counted on receiving support from a considerable number of member states, particularly from developing nations, albeit privately. However, these nations appeared to have abstained from voting in favor of Russia publicly to avoid antagonizing Western states.

Russia’s campaign also included accusations that the United States had spearheaded efforts to prevent their return to the council.

Last year, Russia was suspended from the Human Rights Council with 93 members of the UN General Assembly voting in favor, 24 against, and 58 abstaining.

For the next three years starting in 2024, the Human Rights Council will comprise the following countries: Albania, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burundi, China, the Ivory Coast, Cuba, Dominican Republic, France, Ghana, Indonesia, Japan, Kuwait, Malawi, and the Netherlands.

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Italy Settles Tab for Tourists’ Dine and Dash in Albania

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Italy’s government has taken a remarkable diplomatic step by covering the restaurant expenses of four Italian tourists who engaged in a dine and dash episode in Albania. This incident, which gained attention in both nations, led Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama to discuss the matter with his Italian counterpart, Giorgia Meloni, during her visit to Albania. In response, Meloni instructed her ambassador to personally settle the bill for these tourists, as recounted by Edi Rama in an interview with La Stampa.

Confirming the action, Italy’s embassy in Albania issued a statement, acknowledging the payment of the bill, estimated to be around €80 (£68), on behalf of its citizens. The embassy emphasized Italy’s adherence to regulations and the expectation that such incidents would not recur.

Francesco Lollobrigida, Italy’s agriculture minister and Giorgia Meloni’s brother-in-law, was also part of the Albanian trip. He expressed that taking responsibility for the bill was a matter of national pride, asserting that the actions of a few dishonest individuals should not tarnish the reputation of a nation of honorable people.

The exact date of the dine and dash event remains unclear, but surveillance footage depicting the group exiting the restaurant and disappearing into the night has gained substantial traction on social media platforms. The owner of the restaurant conveyed to Albania’s Report TV that this was the first instance of customers departing without settling their bill. Interestingly, the four Italian tourists had even expressed their appreciation for the quality of the food before leaving the establishment.

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