Italian authorities have rejected the asylum requests of 43 asylum-seekers transferred to Albania in a speedy procedure that a non-governmental delegation observing the process said illegally deprived them of legal assistance.

Italy's attempt to house migrants in non-EU member state Albania while it processes their asylum applications has already failed twice. Will things work out for Giorgia Meloni's government this time round?

Italy resumed transferring migrants to processing centers in Albania, media reports said Tuesday. An Italian Navy ship, Cassiopea, arrived early at the Albanian port of Shengjin carrying 49 migrants rescued during the weekend from international waters south of Lampedusa,

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.

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.

The attempt at processing at special centres in Albania follows two previous failures in October and November.

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

An Italian navy ship has dropped off 49 migrants in Albania after intercepting them in international waters, in the third attempt to carry out a contentious plan to relocate migrants to be processed under a deal between the two countries.