TIRANA, Feb.25 – Authorities were on alert following signals that Syrian refugees might cross into Albanian territory as they seek alternative routes to reach wealthy European nations.
It is reported that three border patrols with night vision goggles have been dispatched near the Greek border at Kapshtica in southeastern Albania, while another patrol is monitoring movements at Sul village in Devoll, one of the main routes used for illegal border crossings between Albania and Greece.
As a result of the potential arrival of Syrian refugees, authorities have increased security measures in the country’s southeastern region, with traffic police also conducting checks on national roads.
However, despite the alert, there have been no reports of refugees arriving in Albania.
The Minister of Integration Klajda Gjosha said on Thursday that the Albanian government is prepared to manage a potential influx of immigrants.
“There will be no walls for immigrants, but they have to be registered first, for security reasons,” said Gjosha from the southeastern town of Korca.
A few days earlier, Minister of Defense Mimi Kodheli told the parliamentary committee on national security that Albanian authorities have taken all the necessary measures in case Albania witnesses an influx of Syrian refugees. Kodheli said that the refugees will simply use Albania as a transit route and that authorities are prepared to handle the situation.
The defense minister added that there exist criminal groups that are trying to profit from the immigrant crisis and that Albanian authorities are keeping in touch with intelligence services in the region.
Meanwhile, police detained on Thursday twelve Pakistani nationals who had illegally crossed into Albania from Greece. They were planning to make it to Montenegro and then head northwards towards their final destination Germany.
Albania has so far not been affected by the influx of immigrants escaping conflicts in the Middle East, but as the immigrant crisis is in full swing in Europe, there exists the possibility that refugees might seek alternative routes and travel through Albania instead towards EU countries.
