Germany sees paradox in Albanian asylum claims
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- Germany needs skilled workers, not would-be economic migrants seeking political asylum, Merkel says
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TIRANA, July 9 – An increase in the number of asylum claims from Albania has German officials perplexed, and the issue was part of discussions during Chancellor Angela Merkel’s visit to Tirana Wednesday.
Both Prime Minister Edi Rama and Merkel said at a joint press conference there is no reason for Albanians to seek asylum when the country is safe and an EU candidate for membership.
Merkel said Germany is indeed looking for skilled workers like nurses and others but migration could only be done through legal channels.
Merkel said Germany is ready to work with Albania in economic development to offer better perspectives for youths and to improve the quality of life for people in Albania.
Both Albanian and German leaders said there was a need for more information on the matter to prevent people from falling prey to scams that promise asylum for would-be economic migrants.
Rama said the matter is not just a security problem, but a social one as well that can be alleviated through economic and political support from the EU.
