'Italy Will Not Stand By And Watch': Meloni Warns Spain Over Ceuta Migrant Crisis

Published 31 July 2026 · europe

'Italy Will Not Stand By And Watch': Meloni Warns Spain Over Ceuta Migrant Crisis Published By, Last Updated: July 31, 2026, 17:57 IST Italy wants

'Italy Will Not Stand By And Watch': Meloni Warns Spain Over Ceuta Migrant Crisis Published By, Last Updated: July 31, 2026, 17:57 IST Italy wants Spain suspended from the Schengen Area after the Ceuta migrant crisis, accusing Madrid of failing to curb irregular migration. Rapid Read Migrants cross into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. Italy has called for Spain to be suspended from the European Union’s passport-free Schengen Area after thousands of migrants entered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco, escalating tensions over Europe’s handling of irregular migration. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Thursday said her government was prepared to consider “exceptional measures," including suspending Spain from the Schengen agreement, following the latest migrant surge. “We are in the process of bringing together the competent bodies and, once these meetings are over, we are ready to act, including through exceptional measures… such as suspending the Schengen agreement with Spain," Meloni wrote on X.

Le immagini che arrivano da Ceuta sono impressionanti e dimostrano, ancora una volta, che l’immigrazione clandestina fuori controllo rappresenta una minaccia concreta per la sicurezza dei confini europei.Mi sono confrontata con il Ministro dell’Interno Matteo Piantedosi.… — Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) July 30, 2026 Describing the images from Ceuta as “shocking," Meloni said many of the migrants, including children, had been forced to swim to reach the Spanish territory. According to the Spanish government’s delegation in Ceuta, at least 18 people died while attempting the dangerous crossing. “Italy will not stand idly by," she said. Italy Hardens Its Stand Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani echoed Meloni’s position, saying he supported closing the Schengen Area to Spain. “I am in favour of closing the Schengen area with Spain," Tajani wrote on X, arguing that “irregular and uncontrolled immigration poses a danger to national security." He also criticised the Spanish government’s decision to grant Spanish and therefore European citizenship to more than 500,000 irregular immigrants, claiming the move was “profoundly wrong" and encouraged human trafficking.

Spain Hits Back Spain rejected the criticism, with Foreign Minister José Luis Albares accusing Italian leaders of using migration for political purposes. Albares described Tajani’s remarks as “improper" and said Spain expected “European solidarity and not partisan demagoguery" from a partner and friendly country. What Is The Schengen Area? The Schengen Area is Europe’s passport-free travel zone, allowing people to move across 29 European countries without routine border checks. Italy’s hardline stance has also found support within its ruling coalition. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini has called for the suspension of the entire Schengen system, arguing that stronger measures are needed to tackle irregular migration. (Inputs from AFP) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location: Rome, Italy First Published: July 31, 2026, 17:57 IST News world 'Italy Will Not Stand By And Watch': Meloni Warns Spain Over Ceuta Migrant Crisis Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s.