Spanish and Italian representatives have clashed in a heated debate over European immigration policy during a summit of EU member states.
On Thursday, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned Italy’s plan to transport migrants to deportation centres outside of the European Union.
Speaking at a press conference after a European Council meeting, he claimed the strategy would create “new problems”. He called for a more measured approach to ensure “orderly” migration and maintain European prosperity.
Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi subsequently branded his comments “strange” and accused Spain of “shooting at immigrants trying to cross the border from Morocco”.
Piantedosi continued: “I think that Spain should take into account the balance of considerations regarding the specific politics it applies to contain illegal immigration in its territory.”
In June 2022, at least 37 people were killed at the Moroccan-Spanish border, and many more were injured after upwards of 1,500 people attempted to enter Spain to claim asylum illegally.
Border force agents launched tear gas and fired rubber bullets into a crowded enclosure holding hundreds of people near the border and towards migrants just across the Spanish side.
Both Spanish and Moroccan authorities defended their actions in the days following the incident, claiming the migrants had been violent and the measures used amounted to reasonable force.
As part of a strict new approach to tackle illegal immigration, Italy has opened two processing centres in Albania where up to 36,000 asylum seekers could eventually be transferred each year.
Italy sent the first group of 16 migrants to the newly established Albanian centres on Monday.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the decision marked “a new, courageous, unprecedented path” to tackle the European migration crisis.
Italy’s immigration model, though contentious, has drawn some praise from other European nations, including British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who expressed interest during a recent visit to Rome to meet the Italian PM.
However, human rights organisations have condemned the strategy. Director of Amnesty International’s European Institutions Office Eve Geddie said: “It’s shameful that despite all the criticism and concerns raised by human rights bodies, the Italian government has decided to go ahead with this awful agreement.
“Not only is the plan incredibly harmful, it is also unlawful.”
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen has called on EU members to “continue to explore” the possible implementation of “return hubs”, citing the deal between Italy and Albania as a possible model.
