Spain and Italy plan joint end to border checks imposed after Ceuta crisis

Spain and Italy are preparing to end routine border checks on air and sea connections following a diplomatic dispute sparked by the summer migration crisis in Ceuta. Italy plans to retain its temporary controls on passengers arriving from Spain for an additional seven days while the two nations coordinate the removal of the reciprocal measures.

The two governments will lead discussions to replace the checks with agreed cooperation arrangements. The dispute began when Italy introduced border controls following a mass arrival of migrants in Ceuta from Morocco at the end of July. Spain subsequently imposed similar checks on arrivals from Italy. While the controls would end one immediate point of contention, they would not resolve the broader differences between the two countries over migration policy.