Italy has rejected Spain’s demand to lift by Sunday, August 9, the border controls reinstated on August 1 following the migration crisis in Ceuta.

Axar.az reports, citing Italian media, that in a statement, the Italian government said the suspension of Schengen rules for third-country nationals arriving from Spain would remain in place at least until August 15, when Spanish authorities expect another wave of migrants in Ceuta.

Rome stressed that the measure does not apply to Spanish or other EU citizens arriving by air or sea. It said the controls could be reviewed only when there is certainty that there will be no security and terrorism risks for Italy.

Madrid called Italy’s decision unfair, contrary to the interests of the EU and discriminatory against the Spanish population, arguing that it had been introduced "without prior notice, unilaterally and with spurious arguments that conform neither to the Schengen Borders Code nor to the truth.”

Spain also warned that if Italy does not lift the controls by Sunday, Madrid would be forced to adopt proportionate measures to protect the interests and dignity of Spanish citizens.