Trans-border mobility and integration in border regions: Albanian migrants in Epirus and the Ionian Islands in Greece

Abstract

The emergence of a new economic and political system in post-socialist Albania strongly affected the neighbouring regions of Greece, particularly by successive waves of migration. This paper explores three key aspects of Albanian migration to Greece. First, it investigates the basic factors that determine Albanian migrants' decision to settle in middle-sized Greek cities close to the border with Albania. Second, it examines the main patterns of trans-border mobility between Albania and Greece. And third, it looks at the possible interconnections between integration into Greek society and trans-border mobility. The role of geographical proximity and other factors that define migrants' integration are also discussed. The paper concludes that frequent mobility produces important trans-national activity and discusses whether this mobility corresponds to an emerging type of ‘trans-migrant’.

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to the undergraduate students of the Human Geography course of the Department of European Civilization, Hellenic Open University (class of Epirus and the Ionian Islands, 2007–08) for their invaluable participation and help in this research. Special thanks to Stamatia (Matoula) Vlachou, Xaralampos Krikonis, Katerina Yiotaki, Vivi Zapsa, Vassilis Patsis, Eleni Moraitou and Vaso Liakou. Without their enthusiastic work, encouragement and ideas this research could not have been completed. Most of all, they have been good friends of mine.

Notes

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²³ IMEPO, op. cit.

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³⁰ Baldwin-Edwards, op. cit.

³¹ Iosifides et al., op. cit.

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³³ Michail, op. cit.

³⁴ de Rapper, op. cit.

³⁵ Dellaris, op. cit.

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³⁷ Dalakoglou, op. cit.

³⁸ Michail, op. cit.; Dalakoglou, op. cit.

³⁹ Michail, op. cit.

⁴⁰ Michail, op. cit.; Dalakoglou, op. cit.

⁴¹ Dalakoglou, op. cit.