Italy announced on Friday that it has suspended its Schengen agreement with Spain, a move triggered by the recent influx of migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, located on the north African coast bordering Morocco. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni characterized the one-month suspension as an "extraordinary measure" designed to "safeguard national security and prevent possible repercussions for our nation."
The Italian interior ministry confirmed that the country has closed its maritime and air entry points to Spain. However, officials emphasized that this measure will not impact travel for Spanish or European citizens entering Italy. Furthermore, a government spokesman indicated that following discussions with France, both nations have committed to reinforcing existing land border controls.
This development follows comments made by Prime Minister Meloni on Thursday, in which she described the images of thousands of migrants arriving in Ceuta as "shocking" and initially called for Spain to be suspended from the Schengen area. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani defended the action on Friday, asserting that the suspension of the border-free travel area is "provided for by the treaties and, today, rendered unavoidable."
Tajani described the migrant crisis in Ceuta as a "shared responsibility" within the European Union, urging member states to "work together to prevent uncontrolled flows of migrants from entering EU territory." Italy’s coalition government has consistently sought to curb the tens of thousands of migrants who arrive in small boats on the country’s shores annually. Prime Minister Meloni added that Italy would support any European initiative aimed at assisting Spain to "restore full control of the Union’s external borders."
