Italy suspends Schengen agreement with Spain over migrant crisis in Ceuta - Sarmad

The Italian newspaper La Stampa reported that authorities in Rome have decided to suspend the Schengen Agreement with Spain in light of the record-breaking influx of irregular migrants into the city of Ceuta.

The newspaper stated that the Italian Ministry of the Interior issued instructions on Friday to close sea and air borders with Spain, as part of exceptional measures taken by authorities to address the repercussions of the migration crisis.

It added that the decision followed a meeting of the Committee for the Analysis of Migration and Border Security, chaired by Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, based on the latest data regarding the flow of migrants.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had announced on Thursday that she was considering suspending the Schengen Agreement with Spain due to the influx of irregular migrants into Ceuta.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani accused Madrid that its decision to regularize the status of more than 500,000 foreigners residing illegally in the country “encourages human trafficking.” This prompted Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares to describe the message as “inappropriate,” affirming that Spain expects solidarity, not demagoguery, from its partners, and announcing that he would recall the Italian ambassador to protest.

For his part, Matteo Salvini, Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the far-right League party, called for the suspension of the Schengen Agreement and for “defending Europe’s borders.”

This comes as the border between Morocco and the city of Ceuta witnessed an unprecedented influx of migrants, after thousands of young men gathered in the area on Thursday. Reports indicated that approximately 60,000 migrants entered the city within 24 hours, while the death toll rose to around 71 people.

In light of these developments, Spanish authorities have deployed additional reinforcements from the police, the Civil Guard, and the military to tighten security measures at the border.

It is worth noting that the Schengen Agreement abolished internal borders between signatory countries, allowing free movement and passage without obstacles, checks, or surveillance. However, in exceptional cases, a country may monitor its borders and conduct checks as a last resort if there is a serious threat to public policy or internal security, according to Article 25 of the Schengen Borders Code.