Italy has suspended its Schengen free-travel agreement with Spain after authorities said about 60,000 people crossed from Morocco into Ceuta, a Spanish autonomous city in North Africa.
Antonio Tajani, Italy’s foreign minister, said the suspension was temporary and aimed at “safeguarding the security of our citizens and defending the European borders”.
The move was announced on Friday, just as Spain said more than 48,000 migrants had returned to Morocco.
The Schengen Agreement is a treaty that abolished internal border checks among participating European countries, including Spain and Italy.
Citizens of Schengen countries can cross the internal borders of all member states without passport checks, while foreigners holding valid Schengen visas are permitted to travel across member states.
Although Italy and Spain do not share a land border, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said her country would not stand by and watch its security come under threat.
Meloni has long pursued a hard-line stance on migration, blaming migrants for security and economic threats in the country.
“The Government has decided to temporarily suspend the free movement regime provided for by Schengen in maritime and air connections with Spain, reintroducing border controls,” Meloni said.
“This is an extraordinary measure, adopted to safeguard national security and prevent possible repercussions for our nation.
“The measure will be kept in force only for the time necessary, with particular attention to limiting any impact on summer tourist flows.”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez criticised Italy’s announcement.
“Solidarity and empathy are optional. Respect for European treaties and data is not,” Sánchez said while displaying figures on irregular entries between 2021 and 2026.
According to the figures he presented, Italy accounted for the highest number of irregular entries, with 478,600 recorded during the period.
“This is not the time to divide. It is the time to continue building a strong and united EU,” the Spanish prime minister said.
Other EU officials have also criticised Meloni for suspending the treaty.
