Madrid has blasted Italy's "demagoguery" for calling for its exit from the Schengen zone after hundreds of migrants arrived in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco,
It also summoned Italy's ambassador to Madrid to lodge a protest.
Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said earlier on Thursday he was "in favour of closing the Schengen area with Spain", claiming "Irregular and uncontrolled immigration poses a danger to national security."
"The images coming from Ceuta show how the Madrid government's decision to grant Spanish, and therefore European, citizenship to over 500,000 irregular immigrants is profoundly wrong and encourages human trafficking," he argued.
Ceuta is an autonomous city of Spain on the North African coast bordered by Morocco.
Spain is a main point of arrival into Europe for migrants and refugees seeking better economic opportunities or an escape from violence in their home countries.
To reach Ceuta, located on the northern African coast, refugees and migrants often swim from the Moroccan town of Fnideq, covering about 5 kilometres to reach Spanish territory. Others attempt the crossing from the nearby town of Belyounech, where the distance is shorter.
'Improper' message
The message from the Italian foreign minister "is improper" for "a partner and friendly country from which we expect European solidarity and not partisan demagoguery", Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Luis Albares responded.
"Today's events are related to a court ruling, having nothing to do with what the tweet says. I have summoned the Italian Ambassador tomorrow."
The Schengen Area is a system of open borders that encompasses 29 European countries that have officially abolished frontier controls at their common borders.
'Immediate action'
His remarks came as Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta faces a sharp increase in migrant arrivals from neighbouring Morocco.
Earlier on Thursday, the Board of Spokespersons of the Ceuta Assembly criticised the Spanish government's response to the crisis as "clearly insufficient," according to the EFE news agency.
In a joint statement, the parties called for a stronger commitment and "immediate action," describing the situation as unprecedented and warning that the mass arrivals are placing extraordinary pressure on the city and testing its institutional response capacity.
Separately, Spanish authorities recovered the bodies of nine people who reportedly attempted to swim from Morocco to Ceuta during the latest wave of crossings.
Authorities believe the victims drowned while attempting to reach Ceuta by sea, although autopsies are expected to determine the exact causes of death.
Local authorities reported that over 1,500 people have entered Ceuta by swimming in just over a week.
