Spain imposes border checks on Italy
Spain has imposed temporary border checks on air and sea travel from Italy as tensions rise between the two countries over migration policy. The controls began at midnight and are scheduled to stay in place until September 7 unless the situation changes.
The move follows Italy’s earlier restrictions, introduced after a large influx of migrants from Morocco into Ceuta, Spain’s North African exclave. The dispute has widened into a public clash between Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni over how the European Union should handle migration.
Key Events
- Spain introduced temporary border checks on air and sea travel from Italy.
- The checks began at midnight and are set to remain until September 7 unless conditions change.
- The dispute escalated after Italy imposed similar restrictions the previous week.
- Italy’s move followed the arrival of about 78,000 migrants from Morocco into Ceuta.
Spain tightens checks on Italy arrivals
Spain will temporarily tighten border checks on flights and ships arriving from Italy in response to the migrant crisis tied to Ceuta. The measure begins at midnight on Saturday and continues until September 7. Authorities said travelers from Italy will face passport, nationality, and visa checks as part of the response to what Spain described as persistent irregular migratory pressure.
The move sharpens the standoff with Rome. Italy has said it will keep its own controls in place on arrivals from Spain until at least August 15, rejecting pressure from Madrid to reverse course.
Key Events
- Spain announced temporary border checks on flights and ships arriving from Italy.
- The controls will run from midnight on Saturday until September 7.
- The checks will include passport, nationality and visa verification for passengers arriving from Italy.
- The decision followed a dispute over the migrant surge in Ceuta.
- Italy said it would not accept Spain’s demands and would keep border controls on arrivals from Spain until at least August 15.