Italy has temporarily suspended open-border travel with Spain following a sharp rise in migrant crossings into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocoo. The move will affect flights and maritime transport, and temporarily suspend Spain’s Schengen border-free travel arrangements, which allow people to move freely across 29 European countries.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced the decision yesterday, saying the temporary suspension of the Schengen agreement with Spain was needed to safeguard Italy’s security and protect the European Union’s external borders. According to Tajani, the measure became necessary after thousands of migrants crossed into Ceuta from Morocco. He said the move is permitted under European Union rules and will remain in force for one month from today.
Meanwhile, more than 48,000 migrants have returned to Morocco from Ceuta, where around 60,000 people arrived in recent days. Spain and Morocco have agreed to strengthen measures to facilitate the swift return of all migrants who entered Ceuta illegally. Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said both countries are committed to implementing the necessary steps to manage the situation and restore border control.
