Italy has suspended the Schengen free movement regime with Spain by ordering the closure of its air and sea borders, citing the migration crisis affecting the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.
Italy’s Interior Ministry said the decision followed a security and immigration assessment led by Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi. The minister also discussed strengthening land border controls with French authorities as part of existing bilateral cooperation agreements.
The move comes a day after Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni warned that Italy could suspend Schengen arrangements with Spain, arguing that the situation in Ceuta poses a threat to Europe’s external borders.
The crisis follows the arrival of tens of thousands of migrants in Ceuta in recent days, prompting Spain to deploy military forces as authorities work to regain control of the enclave.
