France and Italy have tightened border controls after tens of thousands of people crossed the border into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in North Africa, amid fears of the largest migration crisis for the European Union in recent years, UNN reports citing Reuters and dpa.
Details
Italy announced on Friday the suspension of the European Union's Schengen Agreement with Spain for one month due to the massive influx of migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from neighboring Morocco.
However, the government stated that this measure will not affect citizens of Spain or other EU countries traveling to Italy, and will instead include targeted checks on citizens of non-EU countries arriving from Spain by air or sea.
"This is an extraordinary measure taken to ensure national security and prevent possible consequences for our country," wrote Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
"The measure will be in effect only for as long as necessary, with particular attention to limiting any impact on summer tourist flows," she added.
Italy, which does not share a land border with Spain, also stated that it has agreed with Paris to strengthen controls along the Franco-Italian border in an attempt to prevent illegal migrants from crossing.
France is also tightening border controls with Spain in response to the influx of migrants into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta. In light of the situation in Ceuta, President Emmanuel Macron called on the Minister of the Interior to strengthen checks at the Spanish border, the Elysee Palace in Paris reported on Friday.
France is consulting with Spanish and Moroccan authorities on the situation. Macron wrote on social media X that he offered Spanish Prime Minister any necessary assistance and expressed solidarity.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez stated that he issued instructions on Thursday evening for an immediate strengthening of checks at the Spanish border.
In addition, rapid response forces of the border agency will be deployed to conduct checks deeper within the country.
According to Nuñez, 334 police officers and gendarmes will be mobilized from Saturday. Additionally, three aircraft will be used for aerial surveillance, as well as drones, and train patrols along the Franco-Spanish railway line will be reinforced.
France introduced border checks after the Islamist attacks in 2015 for counter-terrorism reasons and has repeatedly extended the checks, which are permitted for six months. In its latest notification to the European Commission, France justified the extension of checks by the terrorist threat, the rise in anti-Semitic attacks, and human trafficking.
These steps by the countries were taken against the backdrop of Spain stating that it has largely managed to stop the flow of migrants into Ceuta, and most of the more than 50,000 people who crossed the enclave's border have voluntarily returned to Morocco.
The Ministry of Interior of Spain reported that 37,000 migrants left Ceuta31.07.26, 19:07
Critics of Meloni's right-wing government called the new border checks largely symbolic, stating that there is no indication that migrants arriving in Ceuta would want to continue their journey to Italy.
Meloni's coalition, which came to power in 2022 with a promise to reduce illegal immigration, has faced strong pressure from a new far-right party led by former army general Roberto Vannacci, whose anti-migrant rhetoric has resonated with some voters, Reuters notes.
With migration again dominating headlines, the government seeks to take a tough stance on security issues, but center-left opponents accuse the government of pandering to populists and undermining ties with Spain.
"The problem is that this is a purely demagogic proposal, as always, designed for domestic consumption and to compete with Vannacci, which does not solve any problems," said Piero De Luca, a senior deputy from the opposition Democratic Party.
The Schengen Area allows visa-free movement across 29 European countries, although member states may temporarily reintroduce border controls for security or public order reasons.
The situation in Ceuta remains tense. In recent days, tens of thousands of people have reached the exclave from Morocco, mostly by swimming.
Although Morocco gained independence from France and Spain in 1956, Spain still has two exclaves there: Ceuta and Melilla. Near both territories, thousands of people, mostly from sub-Saharan countries, often wait for a chance to enter the region, which is part of the EU but not part of the Schengen visa-free zone.
Spain's reaction
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Saturday, as reported by El Pais, sent a letter to European institutions in which he complained about the attitude of some countries towards the migration crisis in Ceuta. In the letter, the prime minister requested a meeting of interior ministers of the 27 EU member states. The night in the autonomous city passed without incidents, the country's Interior Ministry reports. Entry into the country was completely halted, while exit to Morocco continued without any notable incidents. Meanwhile, the installation of restraining barriers began on the Tarajal breakwater. According to the latest data from Spain's Interior Ministry, at least 67 people have died trying to reach Spain, while more than 48,000 of the nearly 50,000 who arrived from Morocco have already returned. The government also announced that it would continue the "gradual reopening" of the border in Melilla.