Spain imposes border controls on Italy

Spain has announced temporary border controls for travelers arriving from Italy, a retaliatory measure following Italy's decision to suspend the Schengen agreement on free travel. The measure, effective from midnight and lasting until September 7, was declared by Spain's Interior Ministry.

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We urge the Italian government to rectify this, end the controls, and treat Spaniards like other European citizens.

This diplomatic spat erupted after tens of thousands of people crossed from Morocco into the Spanish North African territory of Ceuta between July 30 and 31. The influx angered some EU member states, including Italy, which subsequently halted the Schengen agreement with Spain for one month. The Spanish government strongly criticized Italy's action, deeming it unfair and contrary to EU interests.

"We urge the Italian government to rectify this, end the controls, and treat Spaniards like other European citizens," the Spanish government stated. Italy's government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, responded that it has no intention of reconsidering its decision before August 15. An official statement from Meloni's office declared, "Italy does not accept ultimatums or directives from abroad regarding national security and border control."

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Italy does not accept ultimatums or directives from abroad regarding national security and border control.

The Italian statement further elaborated that the decision would only be reviewed once assurances are in place regarding security, counter-terrorism risks, and the absence of new migrant waves heading towards European territory. Spanish police are monitoring online rumors about a potential new migration surge towards Ceuta in mid-August, although authorities have not explicitly confirmed expectations of a repeat of last week's situation.

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Only when there is certainty that there is no security or terrorist risk, that there is no new wave underway, and that no irregular immigrants are heading to European territory, will the decision be reviewed.