Italy opens asylum centers in Albania

Italy has formally opened two refugee processing centers in Albania, the first time a European Union (EU) country has operated migrant facilities outside the 27-nation bloc, reported Xinhua, quoting Italian news agency Ansa.

The opening of the centers has sparked controversy from human rights groups, but after some delays, the sites are expected to emerge as a key element in Italy's bid to curb the number of refugees landing on its shores. The facilities were supposed to open in August.

According to media reports, the centers will have an initial capacity of 400 would-be refugees, increasing to around 880 by the end of November, and to 3,000 next year.

The centers -- which include housing units, a clinic, a detention center, and offices -- will only house men who were apprehended at sea, in international waters. The aim is to process asylum requests in Albania, before those whose requests are validated are sent to Italy. Women, children, and the infirm will be taken directly to Italy for processing.

There was no immediate indication of when the first refugees would arrive at the centers.

According to the terms of a five-year deal agreed by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her Albanian counterpart Edi Rama, the facilities will be run by Italy, while Albania will provide security on the perimeter.

The estimated cost of the facilities is 670 million euros (733 million U.S. dollars) over the five-year period covered by the agreement.