Albania has become part of one of the main routes illegal immigrants take in order to reach EU countries.
According to the latest International Organization for Migration (IOM) report, during January-September 2018, approximately 18 thousand immigrants, mainly Syrians and Pakistanis, passed through Albania, Montenegro, and Bosnia-Herzegovina, to then enter the EU. Compared to only one year ago, this number seems to have increased seven-fold.
Meanwhile, only 12 thousand immigrants took the other route, that of Turkey-Greece, during the same time period.
IOM reports that there are currently about 4 thousand illegal immigrants in Albania, waiting to cross the border. Compared to last year, this number has increased by a factor of 4.
According to the report, in the last year, the number of immigrants who opt to take the ground route, as opposed to the sea one, has increased significantly, both as a result of the higher risk associated with the latter one, and because an easier illegal path is already established, that of the border between Albania and Montenegro.
