Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the crisis in Ceuta proves illegal immigration threatens European border security, and announced Italy is prepared to take extraordinary measures, including suspending the Schengen Agreement with Spain, to protect its borders. Meloni also vowed to crack down on human traffickers and continue effective repatriations, confirming earlier reports that Italy was considering such a move.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated tonight that the migrant crisis in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta proves illegal immigration threatens European border security. She announced that Italy is prepared to take extraordinary measures, including suspending the Schengen Agreement with Spain, to protect its borders and citizens. Meloni also vowed to intensify crackdowns on human traffickers and continue repatriations of irregular migrants.
The statement follows reports earlier today that Italy was considering suspending Schengen with Spain, as The Zioneer reported at 21:45. The Ceuta crisis has escalated over recent days, with thousands of migrants crossing into the Spanish enclave, overwhelming local infrastructure. Meloni's government has taken a hardline stance on immigration, and this move signals a potential rift between two EU member states.
It remains unclear how Spain or the European Commission will respond to the threat of a Schengen suspension. The move would be unprecedented among EU members and would effectively reinstate border controls between Italy and Spain.
5 developments
- DevelopingSpain deploys 60 security personnel to Ceuta as migrant crisis continues
- DevelopingSpain rejects national emergency declaration for Ceuta migrant surge
- DevelopingItalian Foreign Minister Tajani Condemns Hamas Attack in Kfar Yair
- StrongTrump calls Spain a 'lost cause,' orders Treasury Secretary to cut trade ties
Source and signal
- Open-source intake