by InTrieste
Italy has extended temporary border checks on travelers arriving from Spain by air and sea until Sept. 15, prolonging emergency measures introduced in early August in response to the migrant crisis in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.
The Interior Ministry said the decision followed a review by its immigration and border security committee, which concluded that the conditions prompting the original suspension of normal Schengen procedures remained in place. Italy has formally notified the European Commission of the extension while acknowledging ongoing efforts by Spain and the European Union to stabilize the situation.
Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said the additional 15-day period was necessary but emphasized that the checks were limited in scope and had not significantly disrupted travel for European Union citizens. He discussed the move with his Spanish counterpart, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, in what the ministry described as a constructive phone call.
Spain has responded by extending its own reciprocal police checks on travelers arriving from Italy by air and sea until Sept. 21. Madrid introduced the measures on Aug. 8 after Rome declined an earlier request to remove its restrictions.
The dispute stems from the surge of migrants who attempted to enter Ceuta from Morocco in late July, straining relations between the two governments. Spanish officials have criticized Italy’s response as lacking solidarity, while Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has argued that disinformation campaigns helped fuel the crossings.
Neither country has closed its borders, and the measures consist of temporary police controls rather than a suspension of travel. Officials in Rome and Madrid have not said when the restrictions will end.
