Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has drawn Morocco into Rome’s widening dispute with Spain over migration, telling Madrid that security concerns following the mass crossings into Ceuta originate south of the enclave rather than at Italian border checkpoints.
“Instead of worrying about us, Spain should worry about Morocco. That is where the problems come from,” Tajani told Corriere della Sera in an interview republished by Italy’s Foreign Ministry on August 15.
The statement moves Morocco to the center of a dispute that began after Italy temporarily restored checks on passengers arriving from Spain following the late-July crossings into Ceuta.
Italy introduced controls at all its internal air and sea borders with Spain from August 1 to September 1, citing large-scale irregular entries through Ceuta and the risk that migrants could travel onward within Europe.
Spain responded with reciprocal controls on passengers arriving from Italy from August 8 to September 7, according to the European Commission’s register.
“We are not waging any kind of battle against Spain,” Tajani said. “We are simply checking arrivals carefully, and we have already turned back or stopped people who had no right to enter Italy.”
He said the controls were intended to prevent irregular migrants and “possible terrorists” from reaching Europe. Tajani did not provide evidence of suspected terrorists entering through Ceuta, and Italy’s notification to the European Commission cites migration and possible secondary movements rather than a documented terrorist presence.
The measures do not amount to Italy’s withdrawal from or full suspension of the Schengen system. European rules allow member states to restore internal border checks temporarily when they identify a serious threat to public order or internal security.
Tajani also stopped short of accusing the Moroccan government of organizing the crossings. His statement nevertheless placed responsibility for the pressure on Morocco and added a new diplomatic dimension to the Italian-Spanish dispute.
Moroccan authorities have reinforced security around Ceuta and arrested people suspected of attempting or facilitating further crossings. Dozens of migrants were detained before planned crossings on August 15, Reuters reported.
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