An Italian navy ship is due to disembark the first group of migrants on Wednesday to be handed over to Albanian authorities as part of new reception centers run by the two countries.
The migrants, 10 Bangladeshis and six Egyptians, are the first to test out the controversial scheme that has been criticized by human rights groups and the political opposition but hailed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as a model for others to follow.
The Libra ship is due to arrive at the Albanian port of Shengjin at around 8am on Wednesday, where the 16 men will be sent.
The group was intercepted in international waters south of Lampedusa and will now undergo border procedures, including identification and a medical examination.
They will then be sent to a center in the Albanian town of Gjader, run by Italy, where they will await the outcome of their application for international protection at the center for asylum seekers.
Members of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees are also travelling on the vessel.
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