Ceuta: Spanien kündigt Grenzkontrollen zu Italien an

Madrid, Rome - Spain is implementing its own border controls in response to Italy's refusal to lift the controls it imposed due to the Ceuta migration crisis. Starting at midnight on Saturday, travelers from Italy will be subjected to random checks at ports and airports, according to a government decree published in Madrid. These checks will verify the identity and citizenship of travelers, as well as their visa or residency permit for non-European citizens.

The primary reason given for the controls is the "persistent pressure of irregular migration" faced by Italy. Spain's left-wing government's move comes in response to Italy's rejection of its ultimatum, which the Italian right-wing government and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had imposed to resume border controls due to the mass influx of up to 72,000 migrants on Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta since the previous Saturday.

Italian Prime Minister Meloni made it clear that Italy would not bow to any ultimatums or foreign dictates regarding national security and border control. She stated that Italy would maintain its controls at least until August 15, and in any case, until "security and terrorism risks for Italy are completely eliminated."