Italy and Spain have agreed not to extend the temporary border controls introduced after a surge in migration to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. The decision brings a three-month dispute between the two EU countries to an end.
Italy suspended its open-border arrangements with Spain at the end of July, saying it wanted to prevent migrants arriving in Ceuta from travelling onward to Italian territory. Spain responded with similar restrictions and described Rome’s move as discriminatory and contrary to the interests of the European Union.
Following talks between the two countries’ interior ministers, the controls are set to lapse. The governments also agreed to strengthen information-sharing to support security across the Schengen area. The move restores the previous arrangement for cross-border travel, although disagreements over migration policy and responsibility for border management remain.
