Italy sets date for Schengen suspension with Spain
The Italian government has rejected Spain's demand to lift border controls imposed following the influx of migrants into Ceuta, stating, "Italy does not accept ultimatums or impositions. The suspension of the Schengen agreement with Spain will remain in effect until August 15."
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Italy has responded to a warning from the Spanish administration that it would take retaliatory measures if the border controls imposed by Italy following the influx of irregular migrants into Ceuta were not lifted by Sunday. In a statement issued by the Italian government, it was stated, "Italy does not accept ultimatums or impositions from abroad regarding national security and border control.
We have no intention of reconsidering the decision to suspend the application of the Schengen Agreement for third-country nationals arriving from Spain under any circumstances, at least until August 15, and in any case, until security and terrorism risks for Italy are completely eliminated.
According to the Spanish authorities' own statements, a new wave of migrants is expected to arrive in Ceuta on that date," the statement said. It continued, "It will be possible to review previously taken decisions once we are certain that no security or terrorism risks remain for Italy, that a new wave will not occur, and that irregular migrants will not head toward European territory.
This situation does not contain any prejudice against a friendly country like Spain. It is similar to decisions taken by the Italian government in the past, for example regarding Slovenia, and decisions taken by European governments regarding Italy and Spain. If all these conditions are met, Italy is ready to continue a constructive dialogue with the Madrid government," it said.
The Spanish Civil Guard had announced that it was aware of calls for illegal crossings into Ceuta on August 15.
Italy, which does not share a land border with Spain, had suspended the Schengen agreement with Spain on the grounds of preventing irregular migrants who entered Ceuta illegally from crossing into Italy.
Spain's threat of retaliation against Italy
The Spanish administration had issued a warning statement hours earlier directed at Italy, with which relations have become strained due to the influx of migrants from the Moroccan border into Ceuta, an autonomous city which is Spanish territory in North Africa. The statement had indicated that if the border controls imposed by Italy following the mass influx of migrants into the Spanish enclave were not lifted by Sunday, retaliatory measures would be taken against travelers arriving from Italy.