Spain Warns Italy: Remove Border Controls or Face Consequences

The Spanish government has announced that it will take proportional measures under the principle of reciprocity if Italy does not remove its temporary border controls for travelers from Spain. Madrid has given Rome until August 9 to lift the controls. The Spanish government described Italy's move as 'unilateral', 'unfair', and 'unprecedented in recent history'. The measure has affected thousands of travelers during the peak summer season and created legal uncertainty. Spain has given Italy an ultimatum to remove the border controls. If Italy does not comply, Spain will be forced to take proportional measures to protect its citizens' interests. Madrid rejected Italy's justification of the controls based on the recent mass migration movement through Ceuta. Ceuta has a special status within the Schengen system, and irregular migrants entering the region do not have the right to free movement within Europe. It was reported that approximately 72,000 irregular migrants who entered Ceuta have returned to Morocco. The Spanish government pointed out that Italy has roughly twice the number of irregular migrant entries as Spain, yet Madrid has not implemented similar border controls. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez discussed the matter with his ministers, and Italy was urged to lift the controls and treat Spaniards like other European citizens. Following the mass crossings in Ceuta, the bodies of 80 deceased irregular migrants were found, 1,342 unaccompanied child migrants were registered, and identification efforts are ongoing.