Albanian, UK, Leaders Patch up Row over Migration, Pledge Cooperation

Albanian PM Edi Rama and his British counterpart Rishi Sunak pledged that their two countries will cooperate on the migration issue during the framework of Rama's two-day visit to London.

The UK has complained that the number of Albanians arriving illegally in the UK has increased, and since then the country has taken several steps to tackle it.

"The leaders welcomed progress to date, with around 800 illegal migrants returning to Albania since December, action on organised crime and new UK guidance designating Albania a 'safe country,'" a press release from the UK government noted.

In December, a joint Task Force Against Crime and Illegal Migration was announced in Tirana. The two countries said their law enforcement agencies would work together in fighting organised crime and illegal emigration through the implementation of a readmission agreement between the two countries.

"The leaders welcomed ongoing joint work on extraditions, prosecutions and forensics capabilities, and the removal of hundreds of prisoners under existing agreements. They agreed that a joint UK-Albanian team will conduct an assessment of Albania's prison capacity - to be concluded by the end of April - with a view to returning all eligible Albanian nationals in the UK prison system," the UK press release added.

The British government has introduced to parliament proposed legislation dubbed the "Stop the Boats" bill, to crack down on illegal migration, in many cases by Albanians using small boats to cross the Channel from France.

Prime Minister @RishiSunak welcomed Albanian Prime Minister @ediramaal to Downing Street today.

The leaders set out their ambition to broaden & deepen the 🇬🇧 🇦🇱 relationship, taking forward a shared...