Meloni: Starmer 'interested' in the Italy-Albania deal to cut migration

Keir Starmer has shown "great interest" in the Italy-Albania migration deal, the Italian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, has said, as the UK vowed to send £4m to support her controversial crackdown on irregular migration.

- Aletha Adu

Speaking at a press conference in Rome, the prime minister agreed with Meloni, stressing the importance of the relationship between the UK and Italy.

He indicated, however, that he was more interested in Italy's strategy for stopping migrants from reaching the country than its deal with Albania, which is a few weeks away from completion. The pair put migration at the top of their discussions during Starmer's visit and were photographed joking and smiling in the gardens of the Villa Doria Pamphili in Rome.

The millions of pounds the UK will send to Italy will contribute to the Rome process, which is the Italian government's project to tackle the root causes of irregular migration.

Meloni told the joint press conference that "no nation by itself can be effective in dismantling" the human trafficking network, and said they were looking at whether there was a "more structured way" for the two countries' law enforcement agencies to work together.