- Spain will impose border controls on all travel from Italy as a row between the two EU countries intensifies.
- The measures come into force at midnight (22:00 GMT) and last for a month, a week after Italy introduced similar measures following an influx of about 78,000 migrants from Morocco into Ceuta.
- The disagreement intensified on Friday after Spain demanded Italy reverse its restrictions by Sunday, prompting Rome to say it will not accept "ultimatums".
- Italy said it planned to keep border checks until at least 15 August, when Spain "expects a new wave of migration" to hit Ceuta, but Spain has not announced such a wave.
- Spain's counter-measures were in response to "the persistent irregular migration pressure that Italy is experiencing" and would stay in place until 7 September unless circumstances change.
- Last week's crossings marked a new low in relations between Spain's socialist leader Pedro Sanchez and Italy's conservative leader Giorgia Meloni, who has long called for stricter migration rules in the EU.
- Italy said its decision to partially suspend the EU's border-free Schengen arrangements was to prevent migrants from Ceuta travelling on to Italy, but Madrid dismissed this as based on "spurious arguments" because the migrants had no way of entering the Schengen area.
- Italy's government said it did not intend "under any circumstances to reconsider the decision to suspend the application of the Schengen Agreement for third-country nationals arriving from Spain, at least until August 15th and in any case until security and terrorist risks for Italy have been completely eliminated".
Spain has imposed border controls on all travel from Italy, effective midnight, as tensions escalate over migration issues related to Ceuta.12
The measures, lasting for a month, follow Italy's recent restrictions after approximately 78,000 migrants entered Ceuta from Morocco.
Spain's socialist leader, Pedro Sanchez, and Italy's conservative leader, Giorgia Meloni, have seen relations deteriorate over differing migration policies.8
Spain demanded Italy lift its restrictions by Sunday, but Rome rejected the ultimatum, stating it would maintain border checks until at least 15 August due to anticipated migration waves.45
Italy's government emphasized that its decision to suspend the Schengen Agreement was to prevent migrants from reaching Italy, a claim Spain dismissed as lacking factual basis.11
Madrid's counter-measures are a response to the ongoing irregular migration pressure Italy faces, with controls set to remain until 7 September unless circumstances change.67
“The measures, effective at midnight and lasting a month, come a week after Italy suspended Schengen for third-country nationals from Spain, citing security risks. Italy plans to keep checks until at least 15 August, while Spain's counter-measures run until 7 September unless circumstances change.”
BBC
