Italy's interior minister says border checks on Spain not retaliatory

Italian interior minister Matteo Piantedosi has insisted that Rome's decision to tighten border checks on arrivals from Spain is not a targeted measure against Madrid or any other EU partner.

Speaking at an online meeting of EU ministers convened to address the short-lived migration crisis in Ceuta, Piantedosi sought to calm a debate that has divided the bloc since last week, when Italy led criticism of Spain's handling of an influx of approximately 60,000 Moroccan migrants.

Background to the Dispute

Giorgia Meloni's government, backed by Denmark and 20 other countries, had blamed Madrid for creating a "pull factor" through its pro-migration policies. In response, Italy introduced checks on arrivals from Spain at its sea and air borders, a measure set to last one month.

Piantedosi defended the legality of the measure, noting that other countries have frequently imposed their own temporary internal border checks. He also characterised Italy as a historical victim of the EU's uneven burden-sharing on migration, particularly during the Lampedusa crisis of 2023.

Notably, the Italian minister did not repeat the criticism Italy had levelled at Spain in recent days. Instead, he used his speech to promote Italy's strategy of outsourcing asylum claims to non-EU countries, including Albania.

Spain's Response

Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, Spain's interior minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, expressed hope that Italy would reverse its temporary border controls. He added that 70,000 of the 72,000 people who entered Ceuta have now returned to Morocco.

Broader EU Consensus

Multiple ministers, diplomats, and officials indicated there was a consensus at the meeting to move beyond the political tensions that have divided the EU in recent days and focus on technical efforts to strengthen the EU's migration deterrence.

Key points from the meeting include:

• No suspension threat: Two diplomats confirmed that no minister called for Spain's suspension from the Schengen area.
• Constructive tone: Grande-Marlaska said countries that were most critical of Madrid last week "have reconsidered," and described the meeting's tone as constructive. He added that there was never any risk to the integrity of the Schengen zone.
• Positive signal from Denmark: Integration minister Morten Bødskov said he was "very satisfied that Spain acted quickly."
• Ongoing opposition to regularisation: Most EU governments remain opposed to Pedro Sánchez's plan to regularise some 500,000 undocumented immigrants in Spain, arguing it encourages migration to Ceuta.

European Commission Position

Magnus Brunner, the European commissioner for migration, told journalists he understood Italy's reaction, noting that citizens were concerned about the influx from Morocco. He stated: "By every measure, Europe has not had this much control over illegal migration in decades."

The European Commission was already planning to propose measures to strengthen Frontex, the EU border agency, in September — before the Ceuta crisis emerged.

Next Steps

Ministers converged around the action plan outlined in a letter sent by European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen to Pedro Sánchez on Monday.

Jim O'Callaghan, Ireland's home affairs and migration minister, who chaired the videoconference, said: "There was a common understanding of the need to continue relentlessly fighting migrant smuggling networks, to reinforce returns, to strengthen EU borders, to build deep partnerships with third countries, and to improve foresight."

Broad praise was expressed for the speed with which Spain returned migrants to Morocco, echoing sentiments from Monday's ambassadors' meeting.

Belgian prime minister Bart De Wever called for an emergency meeting of EU leaders to discuss the root causes of the Ceuta crisis, though two EU officials said this was unlikely.

The EU will return to the subject at an informal meeting of home affairs ministers in October, and at the next European Council that same month.

Victoria Becker and Elisa Braun contributed reporting. This article has been updated with comments from Denmark and Spain.