Homeland Security, EC officials discuss cooperation on security

Homeland Security, EC officials discuss cooperation on security    Officials of the departments of Homeland Security, Justice and State, and representatives from the European Commission met in Washington Monday to discuss cooperation on transport security, including for aviation.
   Asa Hutchinson, under secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, told a press conference Monday that the discussions were about enhancing security, the exchange of information and the communications and common security enhancements between the European Union and the United States.
   “In our discussions, it was clear to me that the European Union has accelerated their counterterrorism efforts,” Hutchinson said.
   The United States and the European Union have recently signed an agreement on the Container Security Initiative sponsored by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
   During the talks, both sides also agreed on an exchange of information on technologies and best practices for security. Hutchinson cited technologies related to Man Portable Air Defense (MANPAD), in the commercial aviation arena, and “multithread” sensors.
   This was the second meeting under the cooperation initiative. The next meeting is scheduled in Brussels next spring.