Italy says migrant pact with Albania isn't comparable to UK-Rwanda plan

FILE PHOTO: Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama welcomes Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni before the EU-Western Balkans summit in Tirana, Albania, December 6, 2022. REUTERS/Florion Goga/File Photo

ROME (Reuters) -An Italian plan to build migrant camps in Albania cannot be compared to Britain's bid to send irregular asylum seekers to Rwanda, Italy's foreign minister said on Tuesday, adding the way requests would be handled would fully protect refugees' rights.

Earlier this month, the right-wing government led by Giorgia Meloni announced the plan, as its latest effort to deter surging migrant departures from Africa and ease pressure on centres across the country.