Les migrants, les frontières espagnoles fermées pour 7 jours de plus, mais les ministres travaillent pour éliminer les contrôles Schengen

Italy has extended its temporary border controls with Spain for another seven days, aligning them with Spain's existing measures, according to Italian government sources. This extension comes after discussions between the Italian and Spanish governments, following a surge in migration through the Spanish enclave of Ceuta last summer. The move aims to facilitate a coordinated resolution to the issue while maintaining security concerns. The initial border restrictions were introduced by Italy in late July after thousands of migrants arrived in Ceuta from Morocco. These controls, which include checks at airports and ports, have been periodically renewed since then, leading to diplomatic tensions between Rome and Madrid. Despite the absence of direct land borders between Italy and Spain, the Italian government cited national security reasons for reinstating the Schengen agreement suspension. Spanish officials confirmed that both countries' interior ministers will work together over the coming week to evaluate alternative cooperation measures that could replace the current border controls. According to sources from the Spanish delegation in Brussels, the two ministers plan to collaborate on eliminating the reciprocal controls imposed by each country. The recent meeting between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez during the European Council meeting marked a significant step towards resolving the dispute. Both leaders agreed to explore options for removing the border controls, which had been a point of contention since August. The Italian government announced the seven-day extension to allow time for these negotiations to take place. The situation in Ceuta remains a focal point, with ongoing issues related to migrant flows affecting local communities. Although the Spanish government has assured that the situation is under control, there have been instances of irregular crossings from Ceuta into mainland Spain. The Italian government emphasized the need to address these concerns while working towards a cooperative solution with Spain. The upcoming week will be crucial in determining whether the temporary border controls can transition into a more stable arrangement. With elections approaching in Spain in November, both governments aim to avoid further political complications arising from the migration issue. The Italian government has already engaged in talks with Spanish far-right leader Santiago Abascal, indicating efforts to manage domestic political dynamics. The extension of the border controls reflects a strategic approach to balance security concerns with diplomatic relations. As the two countries continue to negotiate, the focus remains on finding a sustainable solution that addresses mutual security needs without compromising the principles of free movement within the Schengen area.