Rome says border controls will remain in place until at least Aug. 15.
The Italian government will maintain the suspension of the Schengen Agreement with Spain and border checks on travelers arriving from that country, according to a statement in which it warns that it “does not accept ultimatums or foreign impositions on matters of national security and border control.”
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“We have no intention of reviewing the decision to suspend the application of the Schengen Agreement to third-country nationals arriving from Spain, at least until Aug. 15, and under no circumstances until the risks to security and terrorism in Italy have been completely eliminated,” the official statement issued by the Italian government said.
The government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was responding to the Spanish government, which on Friday urged Italy to reverse its decision and end the border checks it imposed exactly one week ago on the grounds of “national security” in response to the migration crisis in Ceuta.
Spain says that if Italy does not reverse its decision, it will adopt “proportionate” measures. In its statement, Italy noted that a “new wave” of migrants is expected in Ceuta on Aug. 15.
“Only when there is certainty that there will be no risks to security or terrorism in Italy, that there will be no new wave and that there will be no irregular migrants heading toward European territory, will the previous decision be reviewed,” the Italian government said.
Finlandia, Suecia, Dinamarca y Austria se unieron a Italia para pedir la suspensión de España en el espacio Schengen.
… hasta que Madrid asegure sus fronteras exteriores y revierta la política que impide la deportación inmediata de inmigrantes ilegales.
¡Jajaja!… pic.twitter.com/3cDClzQE6U
— ®The Hunter ✠
(@Bel31278Andres) August 7, 2026
The text reads, “Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Austria joined Italy in calling for Spain’s suspension from the Schengen Area until Madrid secures its external borders and reverses the policy that prevents the immediate deportation of illegal immigrants. Ha! As if these countries didn’t have any problems with illegal immigrants!“
However, the Italian government stressed that the decision “does not undermine the relationship with a friendly country such as Spain, similar to decisions adopted in the past by the Italian government, for example with regard to Slovenia, and by European governments with regard to Italy and Spain itself.”
Italy also said it is willing to continue a “constructive dialogue” with the Spanish government if all the current circumstances cease to exist.
“In the meantime, the Italian border authorities will do everything possible to ensure maximum accessibility for Spanish and European citizens, who, it should be noted, are not affected by the reinstatement of controls at air and maritime borders,” the Italian government’s statement concluded.
Exactly one week ago, Meloni ordered the suspension of the Schengen free movement agreement with Spain on the grounds of “national security” in response to the migration crisis in Ceuta and has been carrying out random checks at ports and airports on travelers arriving from the Iberian country.
teleSUR/ JF
Source: EFE
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