Albania IS a 'safe country', ambassador admits after surge in Channel crossings

Around a third of those who have made the perilous journey so far this year are from the Balkan state.

By Katie Harris, Political Reporter

Albanian ambassador insists Albania is 'safe' amid asylum debate

The Albanian ambassador today admitted Albania is a "safe country" as he was grilled over the rise in numbers crossing the Channel. Qirjako Qirko was asked during an appearance on the Home Affairs Committee whether he agrees Britain should not have to recognise any asylum claims from Albanian nationals.

Mr Qirko dodged the question but repeatedly insisted Albania is a "safe country".

Asked by Tory MP Tim Loughton if he agrees UK should not have to recognise any asylum claims from Albanian nationals, he said: "It's up to the British authorities to decide.

"I cannot discuss this issue because it's not my problem. What I can say is Albania is a safe country."

Asked again if the Albanian government would have a problem if that became UK policy, he said: "I don't want to comment ... I am not allowed to comment.

"I'm saying very clearly Albania is a safe country. That is all."

Qirjako Qirko

The Albanian ambassador today insisted Albania is a 'safe country' (Image: PARLIAMENT TV)

Mr Loughton pressed: "You are here as a representative of the Albanian government.

"I am purely asking a reasonable question as to what the response of the Albanian government would be, because that's key to whether the UK Government adopts that policy or not."

It comes after immigration minister Robert Jenrick this week said Albanians should be barred from claiming asylum in the UK as they are coming from a "demonstrably safe" country.

Albanians accounted for just over a third of Channel crossings in the first nine months of the year, figures published by the Home Office last month showed.

Out of 33,029 arrivals in the UK between January and September, some 11,241 - 35 percent - were Albanians.

It is a sharp increase compared with the three percent recorded in 2021.

Qirjako Qirko

Mr Qirko repeatedly insisted Albania is a 'safe country' (Image: PARLIAMENT TV )

Tim Loughton

Committee member and Conservative MP Tim Loughton (Image: PARLIAMENT TV)

Asked why the number of Albanians crossing the Channel has jumped so much this year, Mr Qirko said: "Officially, my embassy, my government ... have no information regarding this number."

He added: "The problem is, it seems, that the people arriving here ... they pretend to be a victim of modern slavery."

Mr Qirko later confirmed he would be happy to see Albanians deemed to be victims of modern slavery in the UK returned to their home country.

He added that the Albanian government "can't control TikTok or Facebook" when asked what action is being taken to shut down social media posts advertising Channel crossings.

Mr Qirko suggested Albanian police may be investigating, but said: "I don't have details."

The Albanian ambassador also called for an end to the "campaign of discrimination" against Albanians living in the UK.

Mr Qirko said: "I would like to take this opportunity to ask that this campaign of discrimination against Albanians living here in the UK should stop."

It comes as the Government is under intense pressure to get a grip on the issue of people traffickers using small boats to ferry migrants across the Channel.

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