Italy's Foreign Minister Calls for Attention on Moroccan Migration Issues
In a recent statement, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani urged the Spanish government to redirect its concerns toward Morocco instead of Italy. This appeal comes amidst a rising tension between Spain and Italy, particularly concerning migration issues at Ceuta, following Italy's decision to temporarily suspend the Schengen Agreement for travelers from Spain. This suspension is in response to fears of a potential surge in irregular migration, especially with reports of possible mass entries from Morocco into Ceuta this Saturday.
The diplomatic relationship between Spain and Italy is currently strained, exacerbated by these migration challenges. In retaliation to Italy's suspension of the Schengen Agreement, Spain has implemented similar measures by increasing border controls for individuals arriving from Italy. In an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Tajani emphasized that the focus should not be on Italy but rather on Morocco, from where many of the migration issues originate. He stated, "We are closely monitoring arrivals and have already intercepted individuals who were not permitted to enter Italy. Instead of worrying about us, Spain should be concerned about Morocco; that is where the problems begin, not from our controls aimed at preventing irregular migrants and potential terrorists from reaching Europe."
Tajani also indicated that Italian authorities would assess whether the warnings regarding a possible influx of migrants from Morocco hold any concrete evidence in order to take appropriate actions. He noted that the Schengen area has faced suspensions for over two years, particularly with Slovenia, which is also a vulnerable entry point to Italy and Europe. The current right-wing Italian government is seizing this opportunity to criticize the left-wing government of Pedro Sánchez in Spain for its immigration policies, which they claim have not effectively managed the migration crisis.
As reported by yabiladi.com.
