Italy and Spain Extend Reciprocal Schengen Border Checks a Third Time

Italy's Interior Ministry, led by Matteo Piantedosi, extended its suspension of Schengen free movement with Spain by another roughly two weeks, through around Sep 30, citing 'high internal security risks' and the possibility of terrorist infiltration linked to the Ceuta crisis. Spain's Interior Ministry responded within hours with a reciprocal 15-day extension of checks on air and sea arrivals from Italy, pushing its own measure to Oct 8. Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares called Rome's decision 'absurd, useless and a disgrace,' saying there is 'no risk or threat to the integrity of the Schengen area arising from Ceuta and Melilla' and accusing Italy of undermining EU solidarity, pointing to Spain's 2023 acceptance of migrants diverted from Lampedusa.