Italy and Spain end tit-for-tat border checks after Ceuta row

Italy and Spain agreed not to extend the temporary border checks each imposed on travelers from the other, ending a dispute that began after more than 70,000 people crossed into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco in July. The decision followed a call between interior ministers Matteo Piantedosi and Fernando Grande-Marlaska, and both governments issued matching statements.

Italy brought in checks at ports and airports on Aug. 1, and Spain answered with checks on arrivals from Italy. The two countries say they will share more information on Schengen security instead.

Why it matters: The checks had suspended passport-free travel between two large EU members and strained relations between Rome and Madrid. Ending them restores normal Schengen rules on those routes.