AFP file photo for representation only.
Rome: Italy decided today to suspend the Schengen Agreement, which guarantees free movement with Spain, for one month following the influx of more than 50,000 migrants into Ceuta from Morocco yesterday (Thursday), despite assurances from Madrid authorities that the incident had been contained.
The Italian Interior Ministry revealed in a statement that Italy and France have agreed to tighten border controls to prevent the crossing of any undocumented migrants.
It explained that border police will conduct specific and selective checks on non-Spanish and non-Italian nationals arriving from Spain to verify that they possess the necessary documents for travel within the European Union, as stipulated by the Schengen Agreement signed in 1985, which allows passport-free travel between 29 European countries.
Although Italy does not share any borders with Spain, observers confirm the impact of this move on air and sea travel between the two countries, as travelers will have to show their passports to be allowed entry.
