Italy And Spain Agree To End Mutual Border Checks After Migration Row

ROME, Oct 22 (Bernama-dpa) -- Italy and Spain have agreed not to extend temporary border controls introduced amid a dispute over migration, the Italian Interior Ministry said on Thursday, reported German Press Agency (dpa).

The two countries' interior ministers, Matteo Piantedosi and Fernando Grande-Marlaska, reached the agreement during a telephone conversation, the ministry in Rome said.

There was no immediate confirmation from Madrid.

The dispute between the two European Union countries began in late July following the arrival of tens of thousands of migrants in the Spanish North African enclave of Ceuta.

The influx triggered widespread criticism of Madrid from conservative governments and political parties across the EU. 

Italy subsequently introduced checks at ports and airports, prompting Spain to follow suit. The measures were due to expire on Thursday.

The decision not to extend them followed an assessment of the situation, the Italian Interior Ministry said, adding that the two countries also agreed to step up information sharing to ensure security within Europe's passport-free Schengen area.

The right-wing government of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and the left-wing administration of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez have long been at odds over their handling of migration.

Italy justified the border checks by citing risks to domestic security and the threat of "terrorist infiltration".

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares condemned the move as a "disgrace".

Rome argued that the controls were necessary to protect its borders following the influx of migrants into Ceuta. However, there was no evidence that any of the migrants had attempted to travel onwards from the enclave. They were not even permitted to enter mainland Spain.

-- BERNAMA-dpa