Italy has temporarily suspended the Schengen free-travel arrangement with Spain in response to the unprecedented migration wave into the city of Ceuta, reintroducing border controls for air and sea travel between the two countries, according to the Italian Interior Ministry.
The decision was taken following a meeting of Italy's immigration and border security analysis committee, which reviewed the latest developments surrounding the mass arrival of migrants into the occupied enclave from Morocco. The measure will remain in force for one month and requires travelers arriving from Spain by plane or ferry to undergo passport and identity checks.
Although Italy shares no land border with Spain, the government said border police would carry out targeted checks on third-country nationals arriving from Spain to verify that they meet the requirements for travel within the European Union. Italy also announced closer coordination with France to strengthen controls along the Franco-Italian border in an effort to prevent irregular onward migration.
The move follows the mass crossing into the city of Ceuta, where Spanish authorities said tens of thousands of migrants entered within a short period, prompting Madrid to reinforce security and accelerate voluntary returns to Morocco.
