Spain summons Italy's ambassador over Schengen remarks

Spain has summoned Italy's ambassador to Madrid following controversial remarks by Italian Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani regarding immigration and the Schengen zone. Tajani suggested closing the Schengen area to Spain, citing concerns over "illegal and uncontrolled immigration" as a threat to national security.

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I am in favor of closing the Schengen zone with Spain and I have full confidence in the actions of Minister Piantedosi.

Tajani, who also serves as Italy's foreign minister, specifically criticized Spain's decision to grant citizenship to over 500,000 illegal immigrants. He stated on the platform X that such a move was "deeply wrong" and "encourages human trafficking," particularly in light of images emerging from the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, which borders Morocco.

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Illegal and uncontrolled immigration constitutes a threat to national security.

In response, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares described Tajani's comments as "inappropriate for a foreign minister of a partner and friendly country." Albares emphasized that Spain expects "European solidarity, not partisan demagoguery." He announced that the Italian ambassador would be summoned to the ministry on Friday to address the situation.

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