Spain threatens Italy with travel restrictions over Ceuta migrant controls

Madrid, Spain. Spain said on Friday it could impose restrictions on travellers from Italy unless Rome lifts by Sunday border controls introduced last week following a mass influx of migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.

Italy said it would maintain its suspension of Schengen rules for non-EU nationals arriving from Spain until at least August 15.

Spanish response

The Spanish government described Italy’s decision to reintroduce controls on arrivals from Spain as “unjustified, contrary to the interests of the European Union and discriminatory against the Spanish population”.

It said it would adopt “proportionate measures” against Italy unless Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government withdrew the restrictions by Sunday.

Italy’s position

Italy said it would not accept “ultimatums or impositions” from Madrid. Meloni’s conservative government had previously said the strengthened travel checks would remain in force until the end of August.

In a statement, Meloni’s office said Spanish authorities had warned of a possible new migrant influx into Ceuta on August 15. It said Italy would reconsider its decision only when it was certain there was no new migration wave, no security or terrorism risk to Italy, and no irregular migrants heading towards European territory.

Ceuta crossing concerns

Spain’s Civil Guard said it was aware of online calls for a new attempt to cross the border into Ceuta on August 15, although it was unclear how many people might participate.

As many as 72,000 people attempted to cross the border last week and dozens died. Most have since returned to neighbouring Morocco, but hundreds of unaccompanied minors remain in Ceuta.

Italy, which does not share a land border with Spain, said its partial suspension of the European Union’s border-free Schengen arrangements was intended to prevent migrants who entered Ceuta from travelling to Italy.

There was no indication that any of the migrants intended to travel to Italy or had the money to pay for an airline ticket.