European nations agree to boost travel security measures

PARIS, Aug 29 (KUNA) -- Eight European Union countries and Switzerland met here Saturday and agreed on the need to reinforce travel security measures, particularly in the rail sector in the wake of a thwarted terror attack on an Amsterdam-Paris train on August 21.
Interior and Transport Ministers from EU members France, Germany, Britain, Spain, Holland, Luxembourg, Italy, Belgium and non-EU member Switzerland decided several immediate measures to reinforce vigilance and security and also urged the European Commission to take steps to allow EU member countries broader surveillance and exchanges of information to counter terrorist threats.
EU Commission officials, security experts and transport officials also attended the half day of talks.
In a statement to the press, French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said the European officials were in agreement and "are determined to implement all useful measures" to protect travellers.
Cazeneuve said that more identity controls on a random basis would be carried out in rail hubs, where passengers often travel with unmarked tickets, without the need for ID.
The French official said that there would be a move towards generalisation of the sale of only nominative tickets, which would require a justificatory ID if controlled.
A second measure will see the increase of "mixed police patrols" from different European countries where international trains are transiting. This aims to help cooperation and exchanges of information on potentially dangerous passengers.
Indeed, a reinforcing of information exchanges at the level of police, security, transport and intelligence services is a key element of Saturday's discussions.
Cazeneuve said that even if intelligence is a "national domain," services in the European countries will be urged to "closely cooperate" on transport security and counter-terrorist actions.
"It is indispensable to put in place coordinated action," he said, urging cooperation between European transport authorities and companies, and also between police and security services, noting also that Europeans "are facing a diffuse, unheard of terrorist threat." He said that the EU nations would use "all the tools" available and he urged that "all commit (to combating terrorism) at their respective levels." Cazeneuve said that Europe must adopt a Passenger Name Register (PNR), a controversial and information listing on air passengers, a measure that has been blocked so far by the European Parliament.
On surveillance of suspect individuals, the Interior Minister said that more would be done to track dangerous people and exchange information on their movement within the Schengen free-movement zone, where possible. More controls in the Schengen area will be put in place "where necessary," Cazeneuve indicated.
He also said there would be "systematic and coordinated" controls of people suspected of radicalisation and Europe will be asked to tighten up on listing of known or suspected "Jihadists." Measures to put tighter control on internet sites and promote "hate," "terrorist ideologies" and "incite extremism" will also be reinforced.
Efforts to curtail sales of illegal weapons and trafficking in weapons will be increased and individuals believed to be dangerous or involved in terrorism will be expelled from the European Union. (Pick up previous) jk.ibi