New clash on the Madrid-Rome axis over the migrant dossier and the emergency in Ceuta, the Spanish exclave in northern Morocco. The government of Pedro Sanchez first warned Italy of its intention to adopt “proportionate measures” if the Italian government does not remove border controls for travelers coming from Spain by Sunday and then implemented what was announced.
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Border controls
Late in the evening, the Spanish government announced that it had decided to temporarily reinstate internal border controls at ports and airports for travelers coming from Italy due to the “persistent irregular migratory pressure suffered by the country.” Border controls will be operational from 00:00 on Saturday, August 8, and will consist of verifying the identity, passport, and nationality of travelers; and, in the case of third-country nationals, the visa or residence permit. The checks – it is explained – will be carried out randomly and the measure will remain in force until 00:00 on September 7, unless “a change in the circumstances that motivated its adoption makes it necessary to modify its duration.”
The response from Palazzo Chigi
Between the announcement and the measure implemented by Madrid, there was a sharp response from Palazzo Chigi which, again through an official statement, made it clear that “Italy does not accept ultimatums or impositions from abroad regarding national security and border control.” No change of course therefore from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni: “We do not intend under any circumstances to reconsider the decision to suspend the application of the Schengen agreement for third-country nationals coming from Spain, at least until August 15 and in any case until security and terrorism risks for Italy are completely excluded.”
The date circled in red is not accidental since, precisely on August 15, Palazzo Chigi recalls, “as announced by the Spanish authorities themselves, a new migratory wave is expected in Ceuta.” In short, Rome does not intend to back down at the moment and explains that “only when it is certain that there will be no security and terrorism risks for Italy, that there is no new wave, that there are no irregular migrants heading towards European territory, will it be possible to reconsider what has already been decided.” “This,” it emphasizes, “without prejudice towards a friendly country like Spain, similarly to similar decisions adopted in the past by the Italian government, for example towards Slovenia, and by European governments towards Italy and Spain itself.” “If all these conditions should cease to exist,” concludes Palazzo Chigi, “Italy is ready to continue a constructive dialogue with the Government of Madrid. Meanwhile, Italian border authorities will do everything possible to ensure maximum accessibility for Spanish and European citizens who, it is important to emphasize, are not affected by the reinstatement of controls at air and sea borders.”
Supporting the government’s hardline stance, Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, arriving at via Bellerio for the Lombard League board meeting, points to the news that emerged in recent hours precisely related to the controls. “The Spanish Prime Minister,” attacks the minister, “would do better to keep quiet and control his borders instead of threatening the Italian government since we are blocking dozens of irregular migrants arriving from Spain at airports, even at this very moment.”
Irregular migrants
About fifteen irregular migrants have indeed been stopped during checks carried out at 5 airports in the north. They are all non-EU citizens: some Moroccan nationals, but also Chinese, Colombian, and Georgian who would not have valid documents to enter the Peninsula or would have previous records. The airports where the border stops occurred are Linate, Malpensa, Bologna, Turin, and Orio al Serio. According to what has been learned, however, it is impossible to know if the North African citizens intercepted had entered the Schengen area with the migrant crisis in Ceuta.
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