Spain's border checks on Italy rattle Ligurian travel and trade links

Spain announced Friday that it would introduce border controls for travellers arriving from Italy in retaliation for Rome imposing similar measures, in a rare spat between the two EU nations, France 24 reported. The move came after tens of thousands of people crossed from Morocco to Spain's North African territory Ceuta in an unprecedented, deadly rush.

Italy introduced its border controls following an influx of about 78,000 migrants from Morocco into the neighbouring Spanish exclave of Ceuta, the BBC reported. The Italian government says it will continue its temporary suspension of Schengen until at least August 15, Politico Europe reported, rejecting Spain's demand to lift the measures by Sunday.

For Liguria, the dispute carries immediate practical consequences. The region's Riviera coastline draws thousands of Spanish and French visitors each August, and the port of Genoa depends on smooth cross-border movement of freight and passengers with Spain's Mediterranean ports, a flow that now faces new friction at land and air borders.