Spain and Italy trade barbs over migration ahead of EU ministers' meeting

Rome – Italy and Spain have become embroiled in a diplomatic dispute over migration policy ahead of a meeting of European Union interior ministers, exposing fresh divisions over how the bloc should manage irregular migration under the new European Pact on Migration and Asylum.

The row erupted after Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares accused Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government of mishandling migrant arrivals, contrasting Italy's approach with Spain's management of migration in the North African enclave of Ceuta. Albares argued that Spain's policies had demonstrated a more effective and humanitarian response to migration pressures.

Rome swiftly rejected the criticism. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani defended the government's record, pointing to a sharp decline in irregular migrant arrivals since Meloni took office. He said stricter border controls and agreements with countries of origin and transit had significantly reduced migration flows and strengthened Italy's role in protecting the European Union's external borders.

Tensions escalated after Italy temporarily reintroduced border checks on non EU travellers arriving from Spain, a decision Madrid criticised as unjustified and contrary to the spirit of European cooperation.

Speaking ahead of the EU meeting, Tajani insisted Italy had both the right and the responsibility to tighten controls where necessary. He argued that Rome's measures were motivated by security concerns and complied fully with European rules governing the Schengen area.

The Italian foreign minister also criticised Spain's migration strategy, warning that the situation in Ceuta illustrated the risks of inadequate border management. He further objected to Madrid's proposal to regularise hundreds of thousands of undocumented migrants without prior consultation with its European partners, saying such decisions could have consequences for the entire EU.

Spain has maintained that its migration policies are consistent with European law and that regularisation measures are intended to address labour shortages while improving the integration of migrants already living in the country.

The dispute comes at a sensitive moment for the European Union as member states continue to debate the implementation of the European Pact on Migration and Asylum. Although the agreement was designed to improve coordination on migration and asylum procedures, the public disagreement between Rome and Madrid underlines the continuing political divisions over border management, burden sharing and responsibility for irregular arrivals.

The clash has also fuelled political debate within Italy, where Meloni's government continues to present its migration policies as one of its principal achievements while opposition parties question aspects of the administration's approach.

PS