Spanish Foreign Minister Summons Italian Ambassador in Madrid in Protest of Calls to Suspend Schengen Measures with Spain
Madrid, July 31 (KUNA) -- Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borrell said on Friday that he summoned Italian Ambassador Giuseppe Bucchino Gromaldi to Madrid to protest statements by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who endorsed proposals calling for the reimposition of border controls or the suspension of certain Schengen Area measures against Spain in the wake of the migration crisis.
Borrell, in a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, described Tajani’s remarks as “unacceptable” for a foreign minister of a partner and friendly country, emphasizing that Spain expects “European solidarity, not political posturing.”
Tajani had previously stated on X that he supports taking stricter measures under Schengen rules against Spain, arguing that irregular and uncontrolled migration poses a threat to national security and that certain policies in place constitute a “wrong decision that encourages human trafficking.”
For their part, sources in the Spanish Foreign Ministry rejected this accusation, telling journalists that the migration crisis in Ceuta is “completely unrelated” to the decision on regularizing migrants’ status, as that policy requires specific conditions, primarily proof of residence in Spain before January 2025 and at least five consecutive months of residence there.
They argued that the crisis arose from an interpretation of a ruling issued by Spain’s Supreme Court just three weeks prior, which prohibits the return of individuals who reach Spanish territory by swimming. They contended that this ruling is what human smuggling networks have exploited to encourage crossing attempts.
Spain also announced on Friday that it had agreed with Morocco to enhance security coordination and joint efforts to contain the flow of irregular migration into Ceuta and to expedite the implementation of measures for the return of individuals who entered the city illegally.
The agreement comes as Ceuta has witnessed thousands of migrants swimming across from Moroccan shores, prompting local authorities to urge the central government to declare a state of national emergency and assume unified management of the crisis.
The Spanish Interior Minister is scheduled to visit Ceuta to assess the situation and oversee measures being taken to address the growing pressure on the border. (End) H.N.D. / M.A.H.A.
