Spain has announced the introduction of temporary border checks for travelers arriving from Italy via flights and ships. These measures, which include passport, nationality, and visa checks, will start at midnight on Saturday and remain in effect until September 7.
The decision comes in retaliation for similar measures imposed by Rome following a mass influx of more than 70,000 migrants from Morocco into Ceuta, a Spanish territory in North Africa. Italy's restrictions included the closure of maritime and air entry points in response to the irregular migration pressure.
The diplomatic dispute has escalated, with Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares describing Italy's restrictions as a torpedo fired at the hull of European unity. Spain labeled Italy's decision unjustified and warned of proportional measures to protect the interests and dignity of its citizens if Rome did not lift its controls by Sunday.
In response, the Italian government stated that it will not accept ultimatums or impositions. Although EU member states are permitted to temporarily reintroduce internal border controls as a last resort in the event of a serious threat, the two partners remain in a dispute despite not sharing a land border.