Spain threatens border controls on Italy over Ceuta migrant crisis

Spain and Italy have clashed over immigration.

Tensions between the two countries over border restrictions have escalated in the wake of a mass migrant incursion into Ceuta, a Spanish territory in North Africa.

Spain warned Friday (local time) that it would take proportional measures against Italy if Rome did not lift its border restrictions on Spain by Sunday, Reuters and AFP reported.

Spain said that if Italy failed to comply, it would impose border controls on travelers arriving from Italy starting at midnight Sunday through Sept. 7 — a period of roughly one month. The measures would apply to passengers on flights and vessels departing Italy and arriving in Spain.

The dispute stems from last week's mass crossing, in which 72,000 migrants surged from Morocco into Ceuta.

In response, Italy suspended the Schengen Agreement — which guarantees free movement within the EU — with respect to Spain. Italy has maintained border controls against Spain since earlier this month, shortly after the Ceuta incident.

The Spanish government said Italy's measures were "unfair, contrary to EU interests and discriminatory toward Spanish citizens."

Spain also argued that Italy's border controls rested on an "illogical claim" lacking any foundation, given that the vast majority of migrants who entered Ceuta had already returned to Morocco.

Italy swiftly rejected Spain's warning as an "ultimatum or unfair demand" and refused to lift its border restrictions.

In a statement, the Italian government said it had "no intention of reconsidering its decision to suspend the Schengen Agreement for third-country nationals crossing from Spain — at least until Aug. 15, and until security and terrorism risks toward Italy have been fully eliminated."

The crisis began July 30, when 72,000 migrants departed Morocco and crossed into Ceuta en masse. Around 100 people drowned during the sea crossing.