Spain gives Italy 2 days to lift border checks after Ceuta migrant crisis

The Spanish government has issued an ultimatum to Italy, demanding that it lift border controls imposed on travellers coming from Spain by Sunday, arguing that the measure is “unjust, contrary to the interests of the European Union and discriminatory towards the Spanish population,” Euronews writes.

If the measures remain in place, the administration of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez warned that it will adopt “proportionate measures” to defend the interests of Spanish citizens, but gave no details about what those measures might be.

In a statement released on Friday, the Spanish government argues that the decision taken by Rome on Aug. 1 “is based on spurious arguments incompatible with the Schengen Borders Code and with the facts.”

Italy justified the temporary reintroduction of checks after the mass arrival of migrants in Ceuta.

The Spanish government points out that none of the migrants who entered Ceuta irregularly last week were allowed to move freely within the Schengen area, as the autonomous city has a special status.

It also stressed that the vast majority have already returned to Morocco and rejected the idea that this migrant crisis poses any risk to the other EU member states.