An Italian navy ship has arrived in Albania with 49 migrants intercepted in international waters for processing of their asylum applications at special Albanian centers.

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.

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 says it is transferring 49 migrants picked up in the Mediterranean to new processing centers in Albania, in the third such attempt facing hurdles by courts.

New legislation passed in January requires Italian appeals courts to approve the detention of asylum seekers rather than special immigration services.

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,

An Italian navy ship arrived Tuesday in Albania with 49 migrants who were intercepted in international waters. Their asylum applications are set to be handled by processing centres in Albania. View on