THE British Government's official travel advice claims Albania is a safe and welcoming country with some of the best beaches in the world.
According to the Foreign Office's own website, the tiny European nation - which is at the centre of the growing migrant crisis in the English Channel - is not only secure but makes a very pleasant holiday destination.
The document, which is described as 'current as of November 3 2022' says more than 120,000 British nationals visit Albania every year and most visits are entirely trouble-free.
It goes on to state that public security is generally good, that homosexuality is decriminalised and that comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation is in place.
Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama speaks during the Western Balkans Summit at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany
Lisi Niesner
Far from warning of widespread hate crime, it even adds: "Tirana has several gay-friendly bars and a number of LGBT support groups."
The political situation is described as stable with tensions between religious groups and expression of extremist views "very rare" and attitudes to western countries "overwhelmingly positive".
But it is the extraordinary description of the country - which has a Mediterranean climate - as a suitable holiday hotspot for British families which will stagger many people who have watched on in horror as record numbers of Albanians risk their lives to try and enter the UK illegally.
The report gushes that "83% of beaches in Albania are of a very good or good standard".
And while the security situation in the country, which is negotiating EU membership, is stable and Albanians are "very hospitable" to visitors, the advice does issue one sombre warning: "jet skis and boats being rented along the coasts may lack adequate safety precautions and equipment."
Social commentator Adam Brooks said: "The majority of people on these boats are economic migrants, not asylum seekers.
"Albania is a NATO country, it’s safe, as is France, from where they are setting sail.
"Smuggling gangs are making millions and the UK is spending millions per day on hotels."
Daily Mail journalist and GB News contributor Andrew Pierce added: "There is no war in Albania. There is no repressive government - it's a democracy. These people should not be coming here. They are breaking the law."
Home Secretary Suella Braverman arrives in Downing Street, London
Stefan Rousseau
Home Secretary Suella Braverman visited immigration centres on the south coast on Thursday as she battled to get a grip on the migrant crisis.
It followed comments from the The prime minister of Albania, who said Britain is becoming like a “madhouse” with a culture of “finding scapegoats” during the migration crisis when “failed policies” are to blame.
Edi Rama, who said he was “disgusted”, commented on Mrs Braverman’s choice of language when she claimed there is an “invasion” of England by migrants crossing the Channel.
Mr Rama referred to the “crazy words” and said this sort of language fuels xenophobia and goes against “the great British tradition of integrating minorities”.
Under-fire Ms Braverman has frequently singled out Albanian asylum seekers after their numbers crossing the Channel in small boats spiralled in recent months.
More than 40,000 illegal immigrants are known to have arrived in the UK so far this year - at least 20% Albanians - although the true number is believed to be many times higher.
