Spanish and Italian representatives clashed in a heated debate over European immigration policy during a summit of EU member states.
On Thursday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned Italy’s plans to transport migrants to deportation centers outside the European Union.
Speaking at a press conference after the European Council meeting, he claimed the strategy would create “new problems”. He called for a more measured approach to ensure “orderly” migration and safeguard European prosperity.
Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi later called his comments “bizarre” and accused Spain of “shooting at immigrants trying to cross the border from Morocco”.
Piantedosi continued: “I think Spain should take into account the balance of considerations regarding the specific policies implemented to stem illegal immigration on its territory.”
In June 2022, at least 37 people died on the Moroccan-Spanish border, and many more were injured after more than 1,500 people attempted to enter Spain to illegally request asylum.
Border force agents launched tear gas and fired rubber bullets into neighborhoods filled with hundreds of people near the border and at migrants across Spain.
Spanish and Moroccan authorities defended their actions in the days after the incident, claiming that the migrants were violent and that their actions were justified acts of violence.
As part of a tough new approach to tackling illegal immigration, Italy has opened two processing centers in Albania where up to 36,000 asylum seekers can be transferred annually.
Italy sent the first group of 16 migrants to newly established Albanian refugee centers on Monday.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the decision marked a “new, bold and unprecedented path” to tackling Europe’s migration crisis.
Italy’s immigration model, although controversial, has won praise from other European countries, including British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who expressed interest during his recent visit to Rome to meet the Italian PM.
However, human rights organizations criticized the strategy. Amnesty International’s European Office Director Eve Geddie said: “It is regrettable that despite the many criticisms and concerns raised by human rights bodies, the Italian government has decided to continue with this terrible agreement.
“The plan is not only extremely dangerous, it is also unlawful.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called on EU members to “continue to explore” the possibility of implementing “return hubs”, citing the deal between Italy and Albania as a possible model.
