MADRID, Aug 9: A diplomatic dispute between Spain and Italy over a recent surge of migrants into Spain’s North African territory of Ceuta escalated on Saturday, with Madrid introducing border checks on travellers from Italy in a tit-for-tat response to measures imposed by Rome.
Spain said the checks would remain in place for at least a month, after Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni rejected Madrid’s demand to lift Italy’s restrictions on Spanish travellers.
Italy introduced air and sea border checks on Spanish citizens on August 1, citing concerns over Spain’s migration policies following the arrival of around 72,000 migrants from Morocco in Ceuta.
More than 80 migrants reportedly died during the rush, including people who drowned or were trampled while attempting to cross a breakwater.
The dispute has intensified debate over migration policies within the European Union. While the Schengen area allows largely unrestricted travel between member states, EU rules permit temporary internal border controls in exceptional circumstances involving serious security threats.
