Italy, Albania cooperation on migration

TIRANA, Jan. 29 – The Italian Cooperation for Development and the International Organization for Migration held a meeting aiming at mainstreaming new ways of cooperation on migration issues between Italy and Albania, with focus on voluntary return and development. Minister of Labor, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities Ko诠Barka and the Italian Ambassador in Albania Saba d’Elia were present also accompanied by representatives of the IOM Missions in Tirana and Rome, Italian Caritas, Patronato Acli-Ipsia and Emilia Romagna Region in partnership with the Albanian NGO “Hope for the Future”. The meeting served to initiate a public debate on the challenges and opportunities of migration management in Albania, in line with national development priorities.
It confirmed the support of IOM and Italian Cooperation for Development to the Albanian Government and the presentations gave an insight of each stakeholders’ efforts regarding: circular migration; fostering contribution of the voluntary returned migrants to the development of their home country; statistical evidence on the number and profile (education, profession, integration level etc.) of the Albanian emigrants in Italy; data on potential and returning migrants in Northern Albania and efforts to encourage investment of remittances and socio-economic development in Tirana and Elbasan districts.