Rome and Madrid remain locked in dispute as Schengen controls continue

The Schengen dispute between Italy and Spain is continuing through another round of short-term border extensions. Italy has prolonged its suspension of free movement provisions for 15 days, while Spain has responded by extending checks on passengers arriving from Italy for the same period.

Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi discussed the decision with his Spanish counterpart, Fernando Grande-Marlaska. Rome said the measure followed an assessment by specialists meeting in the Border Security Analysis Committee. Government sources estimated that between 5,000 and 10,000 migrants remained in Ceuta, the Spanish enclave at the center of the dispute.

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The extension of the suspension is necessary.

Italy introduced its controls on Aug. 1. Since then, the measure has led to 31 refusals at the border, including eight involving Moroccan citizens. Authorities have not been able to determine whether any of those people came from Ceuta because of difficulties identifying migrants who arrived in the enclave. Nearly 500,000 people have been checked through the relevant passenger lists.

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We limited the extension to 15 days because, while the analysis indicates that the reasons for starting this measure remain, the effort being made by the Spanish government together with the European Union is certainly worth recognizing.

Italy’s Interior Ministry said the 15-day extension reflected continuing reasons for the original measure, while also recognizing efforts by Spain and the European Union to address the situation. Piantedosi said he hoped the extension would be the last and offered cooperation with Madrid and the EU.

The European Commission is reviewing the reasons for and proportionality of Italy’s decision. It does not have to disclose the outcome to the country concerned or make it public. The Commission could eventually open an infringement procedure, but the account said there were no signs of an imminent drastic decision. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has also accused Russian and Israeli networks of spreading fake news about Ceuta.

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This extension could be the last because that would mean the situation is moving toward normalization.