Milan, 1 September (LaPresse) – The 15-day extension of the Schengen suspension is not linked to a ‘rivalry’ with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez; it is a matter of internal security because “the jihadist threat must not be underestimated”. This was stated by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in an interview with Corriere della Sera. “Our priority is internal security. The extension was decided following a careful review by the Committee on Immigration and Border Security Analysis, and the reason is to prevent terrorism and combat irregular immigration. This is what we are concerned about, not what Sánchez thinks. Italy is acting within a framework of European solidarity, including with Spain,” he said. The extension is “necessary”, but “it is temporary and is not directed against anyone; it is to safeguard our security. I would point out that we have reduced irregular immigration into our country by over 60 per cent.” “The emergency in Ceuta is not something we have invented; nearly 100,000 people have arrived there, the police have fired shots, and we do not know how many are still there,” he emphasised.
Tajani: “It’s not a rivalry with Sánchez, there is a jihadist threat”
Milan, 1 September (LaPresse) – The 15-day extension of the Schengen suspension is not linked to a ‘rivalry’ with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez; it is a matter of internal security because “the jihadist threat must not be underestimated”. This was stated by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in an interview with Corriere della Sera. “Our priority is internal security. The extension was decided following a careful review by the Committee on Immigration and Border Security Analysis, and the reason is to prevent terrorism and combat irregular immigration. This is what we are concerned about, not what Sánchez thinks. Italy is acting within a framework of European solidarity, including with Spain,” he said. The extension is “necessary”, but “it is temporary and is not directed against anyone; it is to safeguard our security. I would point out that we have reduced irregular immigration into our country by over 60 per cent.” “The emergency in Ceuta is not something we have invented; nearly 100,000 people have arrived there, the police have fired shots, and we do not know how many are still there,” he emphasised.