The diplomatic showdown has been ongoing since August 1st, when Italy’s interior ministry introduced the temporary measures after tens of thousands of migrants from Morocco in July rushed the Spanish territory of Ceuta, located in North Africa.

Drawing condemnation from Madrid and other EU nations, Rome’s original one-month suspension of its free-movement Schengen deal with Spain led to a reciprocal suspension by Madrid on travellers coming from Italy.

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On Tuesday, Italy’s interior ministry said in a note that the extension was deemed necessary after assessments from a border security committee.

“High risks to internal security persist, alongside potential dangers linked to possible terrorist infiltration,” wrote the interior ministry.

Spain’s interior ministry said Tuesday that its border checks on travellers from Italy, introduced on August 8th, would last until October 8th, noting that the reasons for the checks “remain unchanged”.

In a statement, it noted that “a change in those circumstances may warrant a modification of the envisaged timeframe”.

Italy and Spain do not share a land border, but the controls were introduced at maritime and air entry points used by transport services from the other country.

The visa-free Schengen travel zone spans 29 European countries that have officially abolished controls at their common borders.