Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Europe’s priority should be to limit uncontrolled migration, rule out security and terrorism risks, and protect the free movement that forms the foundation of the Schengen system.
In an interview with the Italian financial newspaper Milano Finanza, Meloni said that most European countries had recently adopted the approach Italy had advocated.
Migration activity in Ceuta
Referring to the serious migration crisis in Ceuta, Spain’s territory in North Africa, and the possibility of a new influx of migrants on Saturday, Meloni said Italy needed to act with extreme caution and take all necessary measures.
Italy introduced temporary air and sea border controls with Spain after more than 70,000 migrants reached Ceuta at the end of July.
The Madrid administration criticized Italy’s decision, saying that Ceuta is outside the Schengen area and that migrants who reach the territory cannot freely travel on to other European countries. Spain also accused Rome of using the issue for domestic political purposes.
Spain subsequently introduced similar border controls for passengers arriving from Italy.
Meloni said Italy would continue its nuclear energy policy to strengthen the country’s energy security and significantly reduce costs in the medium and long term, describing nuclear power as the “real solution.”
Assessment of the economy
Meloni said the Italian economy had remained resilient, adding that data for the first two quarters of 2026 were encouraging.
In its World Economic Outlook report published in July, the International Monetary Fund said it expected the Italian economy to grow by 0.5% in both 2026 and 2027.
Meloni also said the budget deficit had fallen to 3.1% from 8.1% of gross domestic product when her government took office. She added that spending on healthcare, social welfare and public-sector contracts had increased.
