Italy urges suspension of Schengen travel with Spain after Ceuta migrant surge

Italy’s foreign minister Antonio Tajani said on X that he supports suspending the Schengen free-travel zone with Spain, arguing that uncontrolled migration threatens national security. > "The images coming out of Ceuta show that the Madrid government’s decision to grant Spanish – and therefore European – citizenship to over 500,000 irregular migrants is profoundly misguided and encourages human trafficking," Tajani wrote. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni echoed the call, stating Rome is prepared to take "extraordinary measures" to protect its borders, including a possible Schengen suspension with Spain. The comments prompted Spain’s foreign minister to summon the Italian ambassador, describing Tajani’s remarks as inappropriate. On Thursday, hundreds of migrants crossed from Morocco into the North African enclave of Ceuta, many swimming or using inflatable devices to breach the fence. Nine deaths were reported, adding to more than 60 fatalities recorded over the past year. Spain’s interior ministry, after initially rejecting a national-emergency declaration, announced the deployment of army units to reinforce security in Ceuta. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is expected to visit the enclave, and interior minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska plans a trip to assess the situation. The European Commission’s migration commissioner, Magnus Brunner, said he is in constant contact with Spanish authorities and emphasized the importance of protecting the EU’s external borders. The Commission also indicated that Frontex can provide operational support. Morocco said it is cooperating with Spain and the EU, while Spanish civil-guard officials questioned the level of Moroccan assistance at the border. Both countries said they have agreed on a procedure to accelerate the return of irregular migrants, though details were not disclosed.