Spain's Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska on Tuesday called on Italy to immediately lift what he described as its "unfounded and disproportionate" decision to suspend the application of the Schengen Agreement with Spain following the recent migration crisis in Ceuta.
Italy introduced the restrictions after an unprecedented surge of migrants entered or attempted to enter Ceuta in late July.
Speaking at a press conference, Grande-Marlaska argued that Italy's response was unjustified and excessive.
"I consider Italy's actions in these circumstances to be completely unfounded and disproportionate," he said. "We'll see how the situation develops and whether it will be reconsidered. I ask that these restrictions be lifted immediately."
The minister insisted that the migration surge in Ceuta had never posed a threat to the Schengen area, stressing that all departures from the city remain under the control of Spanish authorities.
"The Schengen Area has not been at risk at any time, not even to the slightest degree, because all exits from Ceuta are controlled," he said.
Grande-Marlaska also said that around 72,000 migrants had entered or attempted to enter Ceuta during the crisis, adding that approximately 70,000 had already returned.
Ceuta has a resident population of about 85,000, making the recent influx one of the largest migration surges ever experienced by the city.
