Giorgia Meloni's government has built two reception centres in Albania, the first such deal involving a European Union nation diverting migrants to a non-EU country, but they have been empty since November after running into court opposition.

One of the 49 migrants who were taken to Albania early on Tuesday by the Italian Navy's Cassiopea patrol vessel to undergo fast-track border procedures could be taken back to Italy after his condition was deemed to be incompatible with detention in the country,

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s first attempt to have asylum seekers held for assessment overseas was immediately blocked by judges. Now another is underway.

An Italian navy ship has dropped off 49 migrants in Albania after intercepting them in international waters, in the third attempt to carry out a contentious plan to relocate migrants to be processed under a deal between the two countries.

Migrants follow the authorities after their arrival, as Italy sent 49 people to Albania for processing following earlier court rejections to Albania, in Shengjin, northwestern Albania, Tuesday, Jan. 28,

The attempt at processing at special centres in Albania follows two previous failures in October and November.

A second vulnerable adult migrant is set to return to Italy from Albania after four minors and a vulnerable man were sent back Tuesday from Italy's innovative but controversial migrant processing scheme in the Balkan country,

The Italian government's latest attempt to establish functional migrant camps in Albania saw asylum seekers loaded onto the navy vessel Cassiopea off Lampedusa on Sunday. The Cassiopea was expected to reach the port of Shengjin on Monday evening or Tuesday morning, despite ongoing legal challenges, reported the Associated Press.

Tuesday's boat was the first to arrive in Albania following a monthslong pause. The European Court of Justice is set to review the scheme in February.

Italy has earmarked 650 million euros ($675 ... Meloni has repeatedly stressed that plans to process migrants outside EU borders in Albania had received strong backing from other European leaders.

Inter Milan midfielder Kristjan Asllani addressed the media in the lead-up to a high-stakes Champions League showdown against Monaco. During his pre-match chat with Prime via FCInterNews, the 22-year-old admitted he’d be disappointed not to take three points tonight.