Migrants could be held up to 18 mts in Albania

(see related) (ANSA) - ROME, NOV 9 - It may be possible for migrants to beheld for up to 18 months in Albania when an agreement Romesigned with Tirana this week to run migrant centres in Albaniacomes into force, Undersecretary for Implementation of theGovernment's Programme Giovanbattista Fazzolari said onThursday.
   "The maximum (detention) allowed by Italian law is 18 months,"Fazzolari told Rai's Porta a Porta show.
   "What happens in Albania is the same as in Italy.
   "We have created accelerated procedures - in 28 days we are ableto respond to a request (for asylum).
   "The people who are not entitled to it can then be detained forup to 18 months while awaiting repatriation.
   "This is the system that we could also apply in the (migrant)centres in Albania.
   "This will be established when we set the rules on implementingthe agreement".
   The undersecretary said that, while the agreement has beenheavily criticised by opposition parties, it has gone down wellwith the Italian public.
   He also said that a parliamentary debate on the agreement may bepossible but it will not be necessary for parliament to ratifyit. (ANSA).