Balkan Route
Italy is signaling a firm stance to safeguard its borders, sending a clear message that protection of national frontiers comes first. The government announced that starting next Saturday, for a period of ten days with the possibility of extension, border checks with Slovenia will be intensified as a precaution against potential terrorist infiltration.
The plan includes a temporary suspension of free movement within Europe, a move tied to security concerns and efforts to strengthen the Schengen system, a central element of the European Union. Officials emphasize that there is no immediate direct threat to Italy, but the measure aims to reduce risk amid heightened vigilance across the continent.
In statements to senior EU figures, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi outlined the plan to partners such as Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President of the European Commission, and Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, among others. The objective appears to be to curb the Balkan Route, the migration corridor linking the region with Italy.
The broader backdrop involves growing security concerns tied to the Israel-Hamas conflict and the accompanying uptick in violence. This, combined with ongoing migratory pressures, adds to the challenges the European Union faces at sea and land borders. Projections suggested that around 140,000 people could reach Italian shores in 2023, marking a substantial rise from 2022. In the Friuli Venezia Giulia region alone, authorities reported thousands of irregular arrivals, underscoring the strain on resources and the need for rapid responses.
The decision to reintroduce internal border checks follows recent incidents and arrests under terrorism-related pretexts. The move relies on Article 28 of the Schengen Border Code, which allows a Member State to reestablish internal border controls on short notice for a limited period when public order or internal security demands it. Officials stress that such measures are intended to be temporary and proportionate to immediate concerns.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has stated that the government is actively engaging with EU partners on this matter and plans to outline the policy at the upcoming EU Council meeting. The announcements reflect a moment of heightened vigilance as Italy balances security considerations with commitments to the principles of free movement within the Schengen area, while coordinating closely with European partners to manage the evolving situation.