EU increases safety in train travel: Following the attack attempt on the Thalys train, which runs from Amsterdam to Paris, tightening security measures on train journeys in Europe is on the agenda.
However, there is also concern that the measures will contradict the principles of "open society" and limit freedom of movement.
For this reason, the member states of the European Union (EU) say they are seeking measures that do not undermine the balance between freedom and security.
On the international train journeys, arranging the tickets according to the identity name and sharing the regular information between the EU countries are among the agenda measures.
Following the meeting of the EU interior and transport ministers in Paris at the weekend, the Netherlands is also implementing a series of security measures.
Security and Justice Minister Ard van der Steur said the police and royal special units will conduct security checks on international trains.
According to the Dutch minister, strict security measures will be taken at the platforms and security forces will patrol around.
However, there is a broad section in the EU that argues that such security measures will not be sufficient.
Control doors
Eurostar trains run between England and France with strict security checks.
After the 2004 attack in Madrid, the luggage of train passengers in Spain began to be checked for security.
After the latest attack, far-right parties, especially the Freedom Party in the Netherlands (PVV), want stricter measures, including the cancellation of the Schengen visa.
As well as the airports of the railway stations to the control gates are among the suggestions.
But these proposals did not attract attention at the EU ministerial summit in Paris. The Dutch Minister of Security and Justice argued that the security gate was a "heavy" measure.
EU Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc warned, "Let's not exaggerate the security measures."
The European ministers also made it clear that the Schengen visa could not be the subject of bargaining.
Van der Steur stated that the Schengen agreement is one of the pillars of the EU. Referring to the importance of free movement within the EU for the economy, the Dutch minister rejected the proposals to restrict Schengen.
Concern about limiting freedoms
Dutch Minister of Security and Justice van der Steur stated that the measures taken could not prevent the attacks 100 percent and said, "What we want to do is to balance the security and freedom."
The measures to be taken do not delay travel; freedom of travel and free circulation.
One of the measures most likely to be implemented in this respect is the introduction of an obligation to provide identification on the train journey between countries.
It is reminded that Eyüb El Kazzani, who attempted to attack the Thalys train, bought a train ticket in Brussels without showing an identity card.
The Dutch minister said the proposal for identity obligation will be discussed at a meeting of the EU transport ministers to be held in October.
Another suggestion that the European ministers are approaching is the tight control and information sharing. Identity control and regular information sharing between countries are expected to improve security.
Making the information standard and easy to share will also be on the EU's agenda in October.
The risk of security measures reaching a level that limits freedom is a cause for concern in the Netherlands.
While the partner in power in the Netherlands, the Workers Party (PvdA) points to this risk, Jeroen Recourt of PvdA considers rail transport measures "show". It warns that security measures do not contradict the understanding of open and free society.
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