Italy's Plan to Process Migrants in Albania Dealt Blow by EU Court

Italy and the European Union have butted heads over how to manage the influx of migrants and refugees.

Just when it seemed like Italy and the European Union had reached a tenuous agreement on how to manage the ongoing migrant crisis, the EU has thrown a wrench in the works, and Italian officials are none too happy about it. Just this week, the EU Court of Justice ruled that the agreement between Italy and fellow EU member Albania to process migrants and refugees in Albania, which is currently in the process of negotiating accession to the EU, but has not yet joined the bloc, is legally binding, and that the two countries must work to implement it. This ruling comes after months of escalating tensions between Italy and the EU over how to manage the crisis, with Italy arguing that the EU's current approach is ineffective and unsustainable, and pushing for more equitable redistribution of migrants and refugees throughout the bloc. The country has also been criticized for its own tough stance on migrants and refugees, including its decision to push boats carrying migrants back to Africa. This latest development is sure to exacerbate those tensions and could lead to further disruption in the already fragile relationship between Italy and the EU. Time will tell how this ruling will impact the situation on the ground, especially since there are concerns about whether Albania is truly prepared to handle such a large and complex humanitarian challenge.