Italy has acted on its threats and is suspending the Schengen Agreement with Spain because of the uncontrolled influx into the exclaves of Ceuta and Melilla. The case could set a precedent for other countries that fail to protect the EU’s external borders.

Italy’s Foreign Minister proposed as early as Thursday evening that Spain should be expelled from the Schengen Area as a consequence of the migration crisis in the Spanish exclave of Ceuta in North Africa. This prompted Madrid to summon Italy’s ambassador and accuse the Italians of exploiting the crisis for their own political gain.

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