Young men who returned from Spain gather at the Bab Sebta border crossing near Fnideq, Morocco, on July 31. The rush of migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in North Africa has led to an escalating border dispute between Spain and Italy. Photo by Jalal Morchidi/EPA
Aug. 7 (UPI) -- Spain has threatened to take "proportional measures" if Italy continues border controls on travelers from that country by Sunday.
Rome last Saturday reintroduced border controls with Spain, temporarily suspending the Schengen Agreement that permits passport-free travel across 29 countries in Europe. Italy's move followed by the mass arrival of unauthorized migrants into Spain's enclave of Ceuta in North Africa last month.
"The measure adopted by the Italian government is unjust, contrary to the interests of the EU and discriminatory toward the Spanish population," the Spanish government said in a statement.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the move is a "necessary choice to safeguard the security of our citizens and defend European borders."
