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Albania's Prime Minister, Edi Rama, has accused UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood of "ethnic stereotyping" following remarks about Albanian families in her speech on asylum system abuses. Mahmood noted around 700 Albanian families were in taxpayer-funded accommodation despite failed asylum claims. Rama criticised the speech as "a statistical drop in the ocean" of Britain's post-Brexit issues.

 

The UK has deported over 13,000 to Albania since a 2022 returns agreement, which Rama described as a successful collaboration on illegal migration. Mahmood announced asylum reforms in the House of Commons, aiming to make refugee status temporary and extend the wait for permanent settlement from five to 20 years. The changes will also implement new legal routes with an annual cap.

 

Mahmood's speech stressed the need to manage the asylum crisis to prevent social division. Rama reacted on social media, criticising the Labour Home Secretary for echoing "populist far-right" rhetoric. He argued that Albanians contribute positively to the UK economy and that singling them out in this context is unjust.

 

In May, there was friction when Rama refused UK "return hubs" for failed asylum seekers during a visit from UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer. Additionally, Rama has previously confronted Nigel Farage over claims about Albanian nationals, calling them misleading. Despite tensions, the UK and Albania maintain collaborative ties on migration.

 

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Albania’s PM criticised UK comments on Albanian asylum seekers.
• UK announced major asylum system reforms affecting refugee status.
• UK-Albania deportation deal deemed successful, despite tensions.

Related Stories:

Mahmood Plans Radical Shakeup of UK Asylum System

Mahmood Calls for Migrants to Prove Worth for UK Settlement

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BCC 2025-11-21

 

 

 

how on earth can Albanians be considered  to be seeking asylum  from anything ?  Albania, currently becoming a holiday destination, is not at war with anybody, and any of them claiming to be  fleeing the "albanian mafia"  is not only lying but also heading to the wrong place as the albanian mafia have a long and well established presence in the UK.

 Mr Edi Rama cannot seriously claim  to be unaware of his countrymens world wide reputation  or argue that its unjustified