Italy has threatened to suspend the Schengen border-free arrangement with Spain after a surge in irregular migrant crossings into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta…reports Asian Lite News Desk
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has threatened to suspend Italy’s participation in the Schengen border-free arrangement with Spain, citing the recent surge in irregular migrant crossings into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta and warning that Rome is prepared to adopt “extraordinary measures” to protect its borders.
In a statement posted on X, Meloni said the scenes from Ceuta underscored the security risks posed by uncontrolled illegal immigration and confirmed she had discussed the situation with Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi.
“The images coming from Ceuta are striking and demonstrate, once again, that uncontrolled illegal immigration poses a concrete threat to the security of Europe’s borders. I have spoken with Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi. Italy will not stand by and watch.”
She added: “We are convening the relevant bodies, and following these meetings, we are prepared to intervene with extraordinary measures to defend the borders and the safety of citizens, including the suspension of the Schengen Area with Spain. On illegal immigration, we will not yield an inch: defending the borders, stopping human traffickers, and ensuring effective repatriations will continue to be the line of this Government.”
The remarks came after hundreds of migrants crossed from Morocco into Ceuta on Thursday by swimming or using inflatable devices to reach Tarajal beach, placing additional pressure on Spanish authorities managing the enclave on Africa’s northern coast.
Italian Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani echoed Meloni’s stance, criticising the Spanish government’s reported decision to grant Spanish and European citizenship to more than 500,000 irregular migrants and arguing that the policy could encourage further irregular migration.
“I am in favor of closing the Schengen Area to Spain and have full confidence in Minister Piantedosi’s actions. Irregular and uncontrolled immigration poses a danger to national security. The images coming from Ceuta show how the Madrid Government’s decision to grant Spanish, and therefore European, citizenship to over 500,000 irregular immigrants is profoundly wrong and encourages human trafficking,” Tajani wrote on X.
Spain responded sharply to the comments, with Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares describing Tajani’s remarks as inappropriate and announcing that Italy’s ambassador had been summoned.
“This message is unbecoming of the Foreign Minister of a partner and friendly country from which we expect European solidarity and not partisan demagoguery. Today’s events are related to a court ruling, having nothing to do with what the tweet says. I have summoned the Italian Ambassador tomorrow,” Albares said in a post on X.
The diplomatic exchange comes as Spain moves to reinforce security in Ceuta following the latest wave of migrant arrivals. According to Euronews, Madrid has announced the deployment of additional army personnel to the enclave to strengthen border security.
Spanish authorities also face mounting domestic pressure after Ceuta’s regional president urged the national government to declare a national emergency, arguing that local authorities were struggling to cope with the increase in irregular crossings.
Local media reports indicated that at least nine people died while attempting to reach Ceuta during the latest crossings.
The developments have intensified debate within Europe over migration management, border security and the future of the Schengen system, as governments seek to balance humanitarian obligations with measures aimed at curbing irregular migration.
