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Italy suspends Schengen free-travel pact with Spain over Ceuta migrant crisis
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

Italy suspends Schengen free-travel pact with Spain over Ceuta migrant crisis

From Premium Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Italy is suspending the Schengen free-travel agreement with Spain for one month in response to a mass migrant influx into Ceuta.
  • The measure requires travelers from Spain to present passports, affecting non-Spanish and non-EU citizens.
  • The decision has sparked a diplomatic row, with Spain's Prime Minister citing data on irregular entries and calling for EU unity.

Italy has suspended the European Union’s border-free Schengen arrangements with Spain for one month, citing the mass influx of 60,000 migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from neighboring Morocco. This suspension means travelers from Spain will need to present valid passports when entering Italy by air or sea, ending the usual passport-free travel under the Schengen Agreement.

The measure will be kept in force only for the time necessary.

— Giorgia MeloniItalian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni commented on the duration of the Schengen suspension.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated the measure is intended to safeguard national security and prevent potential repercussions. The policy specifically targets non-Spanish and non-EU citizens, with particular attention to minimizing impact on summer tourist flows. The migrant crowd entered Ceuta after breaching Morocco's border, an event that reportedly resulted in at least 41 deaths.

Number of irregular entries between 2021 and 2026 according to Frontex: Via Italy: 478,600, Via the Western Balkans: 340,600, Via Greece: 259,800, Via Spain: 234,760, Via the eastern border: 48,000.

— Pedro SánchezSpanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez shared Frontex data on irregular entries via X.

The incident has triggered diplomatic tensions. Some European leaders called for Spain's temporary suspension from the Schengen zone, with Meloni leading this demand. Spain's Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, a pro-immigration leader, countered Italy's move by citing Frontex data showing higher numbers of irregular entries via Italy and other routes between 2021 and 2026 compared to Spain. He emphasized that solidarity and empathy are optional, but respect for European treaties and facts is not.

This is not the time to divide.

— Pedro SánchezSánchez called for unity among EU member states.

Sánchez urged against division, advocating for a strong and united EU. France has also announced increased checks on its border with Spain in response to the situation. The mass migration into Ceuta has highlighted ongoing challenges and disagreements among EU member states regarding border control and migration policies.

solidarity and empathy are optional, but respect for European treaties and the facts is not.

— Pedro SánchezSánchez emphasized the importance of adhering to European agreements and factual evidence.
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Originally published by Premium Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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