World
Ceuta: Spain imposes border controls for arrivals from Italy
Following the closure of Schengen, Madrid announces checks for passengers arriving from Italy. Rome's reaction was immediate.
Spain has decided to impose border controls for those arriving from Italy starting from August 8 until September 7. This measure was announced by Madrid in response to checks introduced by Italy, which had suspended the Schengen agreement for a month due to the high influx of migrants in Ceuta.
The Spanish Ministry of the Interior stated that the checks are part of the ongoing pressure from irregular migration that Italy is facing. It is expected that the controls will not inconvenience passengers, according to Spanish sources.
Madrid's ultimatum made it clear that there will be retaliations if the free movement of people is not restored. In response, Giorgia Meloni's government stated that it would not accept blackmail.
Rome's decision to suspend the Schengen agreement was made following a migration crisis in Ceuta, where thousands of people entered illegally from the Moroccan border.
The Italian government has reiterated that checks at the borders will last at least until August 15, while assessing the conditions for a possible restoration of free movement.
This situation has created diplomatic tension between the two countries, highlighting the difficulties in bilateral relations amid a complex migration crisis.