In a unique blend of culinary arts and politics, a restaurant honoring Giorgia Meloni, Italy's first female prime minister, has opened its doors in Shengjin, Albania. This port town, situated in the country's north, is set to host one of two controversial offshore migrant processing centers as part of an Italy-Albania agreement.
The establishment, named Trattoria Meloni, showcases an impressive array of 70 portraits depicting Meloni in various stages of her life and career. These artworks, created by renowned Albanian artist Helidon Haliti, adorn the walls of the seafood restaurant, creating a striking visual tribute to the Italian leader.
Gjergj Luca, the 58-year-old former actor behind this unique venture, expressed his admiration for Meloni, describing her as "extraordinary." His initiative highlights the complex interplay between local business, international politics, and the ongoing migration challenges facing the European Union.
The restaurant's location is particularly significant, given its proximity to the planned migrant centers. These facilities, one in Shengjin and another in Gjader, are the result of a deal signed between Italy and Albania in November 2023. The agreement aims to process up to 36,000 asylum seekers annually, intercepting migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean from North Africa to Italy.
This offshore processing approach has garnered both praise and criticism. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, lauded the initiative as an example of "out-of-box thinking" in addressing migration challenges. However, human rights organizations, including the International Rescue Committee (IRC), have voiced strong opposition, labeling the project as "costly, cruel, and counterproductive."
The centers' establishment comes at a time when the EU continues to grapple with migration issues, a challenge that has persisted for years. Albania, despite not being an EU member, has become an unexpected player in this complex scenario. The country's own history of emigration, particularly following the fall of Communism in the 1990s, adds a layer of empathy to the local perspective on migration.
Interestingly, the Italy-Albania agreement has caught the attention of other European leaders. Keir Starmer, the UK Labour Party leader, has expressed interest in studying this model as part of a "pragmatic" approach to addressing Channel crossings from France to the UK.
As the migrant centers prepare to open in the coming weeks, following months of delays, the region anticipates potential economic benefits. Many locals welcome the development, hoping it will alleviate high unemployment rates in the area.
"The Italian centres for asylum seekers in Albania should not exist in the first place. Moving people to closed centres away from EU soil jeopardises the basic human right to seek asylum, effectively detaining individuals for their attempts to find a safe haven and protection."
This initiative represents a significant shift in EU border management strategies and has far-reaching implications for migration policies across Europe. As the Meloni-themed restaurant opens its doors, it serves not only seafood but also as a symbol of the complex intersection of hospitality, politics, and human rights in the ongoing European migration debate.