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Key points
- European Commission officials rejected Italy’s proposal to suspend Spain from the Schengen free-travel area, emphasizing protection of the EU’s external borders.
- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni urged extraordinary measures, while Denmark and Finland supported reconsidering Spain’s participation in Schengen.
- Spain condemned Italy’s position and summoned its ambassador in Madrid to lodge a formal protest.
- French authorities strengthened checks along the Spanish border, while Germany and Portugal called for tighter external-border controls without endorsing suspension.
- Spanish authorities reported 67 deaths after more than 60,000 migrants reached Ceuta, according to the existing draft.
How the story developed
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Latest development
Twenty-two EU member states backed an urgent video meeting of interior ministers as thousands of migrants remained in Ceuta and Spain installed a new sea barrier.
Latest development
European Commission officials rejected Italy’s suspension proposal and said the immediate priority was securing the EU’s external borders.