Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s office said in a statement on August 7 that Italy “does not accept ultimatums or impositions from abroad” on national security and border control. Italian interior minister Matteo Piantedosi said the suspension was a temporary measure permitted under EU treaties, adding that Rome would look again at its position after August 15. Rome insisted the row did not damage its relationship with Spain and said it remained willing to pursue constructive dialogue with Madrid. Italy notified the European Commission of the checks on August 3 and said they would run until August 31, with the option of renewal. Some 72,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Ceuta in late July, according to figures given by Spanish interior minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska.