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Albania preparing for incoming migrants

Xinhua, October 28, 2015 Adjust font size:

Albania is taking measures to cope with the influx of refugees from North Africa that could use Albania as a new route to Western Europe for incoming migrants.

Two regions in the southeastern part of Albania, Korca and Gjirokastra are intensively engaged in preparing logistics for welcoming migrants, Albanian Telegraphic Agency reported on Tuesday.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama declared that Albania is ready to play its part in the European Union (EU) plan for accommodating 100,000 refugees in the Balkans.

According to Albanian authorities, former military base in the town of Bilisht in south Albania close to a Greek border is ready to accommodate 500 refugees. Other abandoned military bases, which belong to the government, are also being prepared for possible influx of refugees coming from Greece.

In Gjirokastra, hosting sites with a capacity up to 5,000 people have been defined. Gjirokastra aerodrome and military facilities will be the main reception centers.

"It is believed that with the coming of winter the route could shift towards Albania," Rama said after a high-level meeting with EU officials and Balkan leaders in Brussels.

Albania, Greece and Macedonia were asked from the EU to take measures to "strengthen the management of the external land border" in order to better manage the refugee situation. Endit