European Borders Shaken by Ceuta Crisis: Spain and Italy Clash Head-On

Tensions are deepening between Spain and Italy over a mass migrant influx into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in North Africa.

Reuters and AFP reported on the 7th, local time, that Spain warned it would take proportional measures against Italy if Rome does not lift border restrictions on Spain by the 9th.

No detailed explanation was given as to what specific measures were intended.

After an incident last week where 72,000 migrants rushed into the Spanish autonomous city of Ceuta from Morocco, Italy suspended the Schengen Agreement—which guarantees free movement within the European Union—specifically regarding Spain.

The Spanish government argued that because Ceuta is not a territory covered by the Schengen Agreement, migrants who illegally entered Ceuta cannot enter the Schengen zone, and since the vast majority of the trespassing migrants have returned to Morocco, Italy's border controls are a measure based on unfounded and "illogical claims."

Spain also pointed out that Italy's actions are "unfair, contrary to EU interests, and discriminatory against the Spanish people."

Spain further claimed that the number of unauthorized entrants flowing into Italy over recent years has been double that of Spain.

Reuters noted that this crisis has dropped the relationship between left-wing Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and right-wing Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to its lowest point ever.

However, Italy immediately criticized Spain's warning as an "ultimatum or unfair demand" and refused to lift the border restrictions.

The Italian government stated in a release that "Italy does not accept ultimatums or unfair demands from foreign nations regarding national security or border control," adding that "we have no intention of reconsidering the decision to suspend the application of the Schengen Agreement for third-country nationals crossing the Spanish border until at least August 15, and until security and terrorism risks against Italy are completely eliminated."

Regarding the mention of August 15, Italy added, "It is the date announced by the Spanish authorities themselves as the time when another influx of migrants into Ceuta is expected."

Euronews reported that Spanish law enforcement authorities drafted a report investigating social media posts predicting a massive influx of people into Ceuta on August 15, but the report did not contain clear conclusions on how many people are actually likely to attempt border crossings on that day.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.