Italy and Slovenia Aim to Lift Internal Border Controls

The Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, has announced that Italy and Slovenia have the mutual goal of ending internal border controls as soon as conditions permit. This statement was made following discussions with the Slovenian Prime Minister, Robert Golob. Meloni emphasized the importance of preserving the Schengen Agreement, considering it an "extraordinary achievement." The commitment is to restore normal border regimes once strict checks are no longer deemed necessary.

Italy initially imposed internal border controls with Slovenia on October 21, citing concerns about potential terrorists among migrants and an uptick in irregular migration. The controls, initially set for ten days, have been extended multiple times. The decision to prolong these measures for an additional 20 days was made in collaboration with the Slovenian government. The duration of the border controls will depend on the evolving international scenarios.

Minister for Relations with Parliament, Luca Ciriani, highlighted the need for continuous assessment based on changing circumstances. However, the Minister of Interior, Matteo Piantedosi, suggested that Italy might maintain internal border controls with Slovenia until the following year. Piantedosi expressed the necessity of heightened control measures due to the perceived increased risk of terrorists among migrants on the Balkan route.

Italy's decision to extend these border measures aligns with the broader trend within the Schengen Area, where several member states, including Austria, Germany, Czechia, and Poland, have implemented internal border controls. The overarching objective is to address concerns related to terrorism and human trafficking across borders.

The commitment of Italy and Slovenia to lift internal border controls when deemed unnecessary underscores their dedication to the principles of the Schengen Agreement while prioritizing security considerations.

By fLEXI tEAM