Albanian PM slams Rishi Sunak for 'bad taste' for small boats

Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania, has accused the UK government of «spinning drama» around migrants from his country. Photo: Martin Divisek/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock/MARTIN DIVISEK/EPA-EFE/SHUTTERSTOCK

Albanian Prime Minister criticized Rishi Sunak for his «tasteless» tactics in connection with his crackdown on migrants on small boats.

< p>Edi Rama accuses UK The government is «unwinding the drama» because of Albanian migrants, although they now make up only 2 percent of the number of small boats arriving across the English Channel.

His comments were made due to the fact that the prime minister is expected to announce in a speech that his plan to stop ships crossing the English Channel is starting to work.

In an update on progress on his promise to stop ships, Mr. Sunak is expected to cite the sharp decline in the number of Albanians crossing the English Channel as evidence that a tough stance on deportations will deter illegal migrants.

This number is down from about 30% of cross-Channel arrivals last year. up to 1 or 2% in the first four months of this year.

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However, Mr Rama said: “The British government cannot stand aside from propaganda. It is pathetic and bad form to stir up drama for political gain.

“Less than 2% of the total arrivals in the UK were from Albania. To keep talking about Albanians is a low standard of living.»

Migrants aboard a white rigid inflatable boat in the English Channel Credit : Home office/PA

The Prime Minister of Albania does not hesitate to criticize the ministers when they oppose the Albanians. He had previously accused Home Secretary Suella Braverman of making «shameful» comments about Albanians being singled out.

He suggested that her comments last year about «Albanian criminals» crossing the English Channel in small boats could themselves be considered a crime. .

Thousands of Albanians are believed to be tracked down by immigration officers of the Ministry of the Interior and pursued for deportation.

A team of 400 case officers has been set up to expedite the handling of 17,000 asylum applications from Albanians, most of which are expected to result in their deportation.

Ministers believe that the new «assertive» approach and new deportation agreements with Albania have infiltrated back to potential migrants from the Balkan state.

«The reason we are returning Albanians is to keep people from coming to first place, and it succeeds,” Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick told Sky on Sunday.