Antonio Tajani defends extension of Italy's border controls

Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has defended the decision to extend internal border controls within the Schengen Area, citing the need to prevent terrorism and combat irregular immigration. Tajani stated that the priority is internal security and emphasized that the jihadist threat must not be underestimated.

He clarified that the extension was decided following a thorough review by the Immigration and Border Security Analysis Committee and dismissed suggestions that the move was driven by electoral motives or political rivalry with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. Tajani noted that recent controls have resulted in 31 deportations at maritime and airport borders, including eight Moroccan nationals, and six arrests.