Spain closes Melilla border after migrant surge; Italy threatens Schengen suspension

Spain closed its border crossing in Melilla on July 30 after thousands of migrants attempted a mass crossing from Morocco. Local authorities estimated around 300 to 400 migrants tried to enter Spain by land and sea. The situation in Melilla was described as distinct from, and more severe than, previous events in Ceuta.

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images coming from Ceuta are moving and once again show that uncontrolled illegal immigration represents a real threat to the security of European borders.

Amidst the crisis, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed strong concerns, stating that uncontrolled immigration poses a real threat to European borders. She announced that Italy was prepared to take exceptional measures, including suspending the Schengen agreement with Spain, to protect its borders. Meloni emphasized Italy's commitment to defending its borders and combating human trafficking.

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Italy will not stand idly by. We are convening the competent bodies and, at the end of these meetings, we are ready to act, including with exceptional measures [...] such as the suspension of the Schengen space with Spain.

In response to Meloni's remarks, Spain's Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares summoned the Italian ambassador to Madrid. The Spanish government criticized Rome's statements as "demagoguery." The diplomatic exchange highlights the growing tensions between Spain and Italy over migration management and border security within the European Union.

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The images coming from Ceuta show that the Madrid government's decision to grant Spanish, and therefore European, citizenship to over 500,000 illegal immigrants is deeply wrong and encourages human trafficking.