Italy does not accept ultimatums or impositions from abroad regarding national security and border control.

Under no circumstances do we intend to review our decision to suspend the application of the Schengen Agreement for third-country nationals coming from Spain, at least until 15 August and in any case until security and terrorism risks for Italy have been completely excluded.

In fact, another wave of migration is expected in Ceuta on that date, as the Spanish authorities themselves have announced.

We cannot review what has already been decided until we are certain that there will be no security and terrorism risks for Italy, that there is no new wave and that there are no irregular migrants heading towards EU territory. 

This is without prejudice to a partner country like Spain and is in line with similar decisions taken by the Italian Government in the past (for example, regarding Slovenia) and by European governments with regard to Italy and indeed Spain.

Should all these conditions cease to apply, Italy is ready to continue constructive discussions with the Government in Madrid.

In the meantime, Italian border authorities will do everything in their power to ensure maximum ease of movement for Spanish and EU citizens who, it is important to stress, are unaffected by the reinstatement of air and sea border controls.