Italy keeps Schengen suspension with Spain, Tajani says Madrid should focus on Morocco

Italy holds firm on Schengen suspension

Italy will maintain its suspension of the Schengen free-movement agreement with Spain until the risk of irregular mass entries into Spanish territory diminishes completely, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told the Italian daily Corriere della Sera on 15 August. Italy had initially set its controls at ports and airports for travellers from Spain to run until Saturday, 15 August, but Tajani indicated the measures would stay in place longer.

Tajani said Italian authorities would assess whether alerts about a possible new mass entry of migrants into Ceuta from Morocco this weekend are well founded before deciding on next steps. He noted that Italy has kept its Schengen suspension with Slovenia in place for more than two years, citing it as another entry point into Italy and Europe at risk.

Tajani deflects blame toward Morocco

The Italian foreign minister told Spain to look to Morocco rather than Rome for the source of the migration crisis.

“Instead of worrying about us, Spain should worry about Morocco: that is where the problems originate, not in our controls, which serve to prevent illegal immigrants and, worse still, potential terrorists, from reaching Europe.”

Tajani said Italian intelligence services had been alerted by their Spanish counterparts about the risk of a new wave of arrivals to Ceuta and the concrete threat of Islamist terrorism.

“The Spanish intelligence services have already warned about the risk of a new wave of arrivals to Ceuta, and with it the concrete threat of Islamist terrorism. And if it is evident to them, why should we underestimate it?”

Criticism of Sánchez's migration policy

Tajani also used the interview to criticise Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's approach to migration, opposing what he described as mass amnesties.

“There is no conflict between us; we have the same objective: yes to regular flows, even on a large scale if necessary, of foreign workers. No to measures like Sánchez's on mass amnesties, which incentivise the arrival of people, even desperate ones or with bad intentions.”

Relations between Italy and Spain have been strained since the government of Giorgia Meloni suspended the Schengen agreement with Spain over security concerns following the mass entry of irregular migrants into Ceuta. Spain, after unsuccessfully demanding Rome lift the controls, responded with the same measure, suspending Schengen with Italy and reinstating checks on travellers from Italian territory.

Germany's returns and broader European debate

Regarding Germany's announcement that it will return to Italy irregular migrants who enter through its borders, Tajani said the matter is being discussed while awaiting European decisions on the implementation of the migration treaty. He denied any tensions between Rome and Berlin over the issue.

Tajani insisted Italy is not waging a battle against Spain, saying Rome is carefully monitoring arrivals and has already prevented people without the right to enter Italy from doing so.