Italy May Close the Schengen Area to Spain Due to the Migration Crisis

Italy is considering suspending the Schengen Agreement with Spain following a large-scale migrant incursion into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. Following the incident, the government of Giorgia Meloni announced its readiness to implement emergency measures to strengthen border security.

The official stated that he supports closing the free-movement zone with Spain. According to him, illegal and uncontrolled migration poses a threat to national security.

In addition, the Italian foreign minister criticized the Spanish government’s decision to grant citizenship to more than 500,000 illegal migrants. In his view, such a move facilitates the activities of networks involved in human smuggling.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also stated that the government does not intend to let the situation go unaddressed. According to her, the government is already convening relevant agencies to assess the situation and is prepared to implement additional measures—including emergency measures—to protect the national border and the safety of citizens. Among the possible steps, she mentioned suspending the Schengen Agreement with Spain.

“We will not budge an inch on the issue of illegal immigration. Protecting our borders, combating human traffickers, and ensuring effective repatriation will remain this government’s policy,” Meloni emphasized.

This was reported with reference to Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.

Italy has decided to join the EU’s rearmament funding program.

As a reminder, a former intelligence officer was detained in Italy on suspicion of spying for Russia.

Following the arrest of the former Italian ambassador to Uzbekistan, Piergabriele Papadia de Bottini di Sant’Agnese, Italian visa centers in Russia have introduced stricter rules for submitting applications for Schengen visas.