Italy's Meloni defends migrant deal with Albania

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni defended Thursday her migration deal with Albania, vowing the legal hurdles that have delayed the full operation of migrant detention centres outside Italy would soon be overcome.

During the Rome summit, Albania and Italy -- which represents the Balkan nation's main trading partner -- signed more than a dozen agreements intended to boost collaboration in areas from energy, transportation and security to defence and civil protection.

Meloni told journalists after the signing that Italy supports Albania joining the EU. Italy will also deliver two patrol boats to Albania's coastguard, while the agreements also included measures to boost the Balkan nation's ability to combat drug trafficking, Rome said in a statement.