Madrid, Aug 7 (V7N) - Spain has threatened Italy with countermeasures if Rome does not lift its one-month suspension of the free-travel Schengen agreement, imposed after the mass migrant rush to Ceuta last week.
The rare spat between EU and NATO allies follows an unprecedented and deadly rush of tens of thousands of migrants from Morocco to the Spanish north African territory, which infuriated other EU members that back a hard line on irregular immigration—including far-right Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
The Spanish government on Friday described Italy's measure as "unfair, contrary to the EU's interests, and discriminatory for the Spanish population." It urged Rome to "rectify, put an end to the checks, and treat Spaniards like other European citizens," warning that if Italy does not comply by Sunday, August 9, Spain "will be obliged to adopt proportional measures to protect the interests and dignity of its citizens." The statement did not specify what reprisals would be taken.
Italy's suspension of the Schengen agreement, announced on July 31, was described by Meloni as an "extraordinary measure" to "safeguard national security and prevent possible repercussions for our nation." Italy's coalition government has long sought to curb migrant arrivals on its shores.
The Spanish government warned against "creating rifts and sterile conflicts driven by internal electoral motives" and expressed hope that "pro-European sentiment, common sense, and good faith prevail."
Of the 72,000 migrants who reached Ceuta, 70,000 have returned to Morocco, according to Spanish officials, who have recorded 80 deaths. Morocco's interior ministry reported 11 deaths on its side of the border. Those remaining in Ceuta—including hundreds of unaccompanied children—face dire living conditions with limited access to food, water, shelter, and sanitation.
end/wd/rh
