For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
London—Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today joined with her international counterparts in the United Kingdom to discuss partnerships to combat terrorism, secure cyber networks and infrastructure, and support international law enforcement efforts.
“Collaborative efforts to confront borderless threats are critical to our shared security across the globe,” said Secretary Napolitano. “Today’s meetings reinforced our mutual commitment to working together to counter terrorism, share information and secure our critical cyber networks.”
In meetings focused on enhancing international collaboration and partnerships, Secretary Napolitano met with French Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux, German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere, Italian Interior Minister Roberto Maroni, Polish Interior Minister Jerzy Miller, Spanish Interior Minister Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba and UK Home Secretary Alan Johnson to discuss the importance of information sharing to global security—emphasizing their commitment to strong privacy protections that govern how data about criminal threats is collected, stored and shared.
Secretary Napolitano and British Home Secretary Alan Johnson also discussed the unique partnership and strategic relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom reflected by the Joint Contact Group, through which DHS and the UK Home Office have strengthened cooperation on border security, combating violent extremism and other priorities, including collaboration to secure cyber networks and infrastructure.
During these meetings, Secretary Napolitano emphasized the shared international responsibility of mitigating the global effects of the H1N1 virus and highlighted the United States’ comprehensive approach to H1N1 preparedness and response.
In London, Secretary Napolitano also visited the Metropolitan Police of London to discuss their unprecedented collaboration with international law enforcement on recent criminal investigations with multinational implications.
On Wednesday, Secretary Napolitano delivered remarks at the London School of Economics and encouraged students to engage with their peers and in their communities in the shared responsibility of ensuring international security—highlighting collaborative responses to borderless cyber threats, the global H1N1 flu virus and transnational criminal activity and terrorism.
Building on her visits to Denmark, Spain earlier this week, Secretary Napolitano will continue to Belgium and the United Arab Emirates in the coming days—her third visit to Europe and second to the Middle East.
Since January, Secretary Napolitano has launched partnerships and bolstered international engagement around the world—facilitating improved information sharing and better protection against violent extremism.
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