A row has blown up between Italian and French customs officers…

Date: 17/09/1998

...amid accusations that the French are failing to respect the Schengen free movement agreement. Italians working at the joint Ventimiglia border post complained that their French counterparts were continuing to search people crossing the frontier despite the fact that both countries are full Schengen members. According to the French, the Italian officials were so angry that they threatened to confiscate the French officers' equipment if they did not stop work straightaway. France argues that Ventimiglia is a major entry point for illegal drugs into their territory and claims its officers regularly make seizures there.