Italy has refused Spain’s demand to immediately lift newly introduced border controls, escalating tensions between the two European Union allies over concerns linked to migration and security following a recent migrant crisis in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. Spain warned on Friday that it could impose restrictions on travellers from Italy if Rome does not withdraw the temporary measures by Sunday. The dispute follows a major migration incident last week, when thousands of people attempted to cross the Ceuta border, resulting in deaths and injuries. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has promoted stricter immigration controls, while Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has generally supported a more flexible approach, including measures aimed at regularising undocumented migrants. The latest dispute marks a significant strain in relations between the two governments, with both sides defending their positions over border management, migration control and European cooperation.