'Border controls with Italy,' Madrid retaliates

The diplomatic clash between Madrid and Rome escalates as Spain announces temporary border controls for travelers arriving from Italy. This retaliatory measure follows Italy's decision to suspend Schengen agreement rules at its borders with Spain for one month, a move prompted by the influx of thousands of Moroccans into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.

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Spain will introduce temporary border controls for travelers from Italy, in response to similar measures imposed by Rome following the massive influx of migrants to Ceuta.

The Spanish Ministry of the Interior stated that the controls are a response to similar measures imposed by Rome and are part of managing persistent irregular migration pressure. These checks will commence at midnight on Saturday and continue until September 7, impacting crucial holiday travel weeks for passengers arriving in Spain from Italy via ports and airports.

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We do not accept ultimatums or impositions from abroad, especially on national security and border controls.

Rome, however, stands firm, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni asserting that Italy will not accept ultimatums or impositions from abroad, particularly concerning national security and border controls. The Italian government reiterated its decision to maintain the suspension of Schengen until at least August 15, a date identified in Moroccan social media as a potential time for another attempt to enter Europe via Ceuta and Melilla. Spanish authorities have deemed this alert credible.

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There is no room in Europe for those who fuel clandestine immigration channels to obtain cheap labor and reduce rights.

Italy insists that its decision will only be revisited once there is certainty regarding security and terrorism risks, and to prevent a new wave of irregular migrants heading towards European territory. The government emphasized that this action is not directed against a friendly nation like Spain and recalled similar measures previously taken with Slovenia. Madrid, however, deems Rome's decision "unprecedented in recent history," calling it "unjust, contrary to the interests of the EU, and discriminatory towards the Spanish population." Spain argues that Italy's justifications are pretextual and incompatible with the Schengen agreement and reality, pointing out that most of the 72,000 migrants who entered Ceuta illegally have already returned to Morocco.

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The measure, unprecedented in recent history, decided by Rome is unjust, contrary to the interests of the EU and discriminatory towards the Spanish population.