U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Canadian Public Safety Minister Vic Toews met recently to discuss issues about border trade and security.
Both countries have long cooperated on trade and security measures at the border.
“The Beyond the Border Action Plan announced last week by Prime Minister Harper and President Obama demonstrates our shared commitment to create economic opportunities and to improve the border by identifying security threats as early as possible and to facilitate the legitimate flow of goods and travel,” Toews announced.
“In today’s world, we face increasingly global economic and security challenges,” said Secretary Napolitano. “The United States and Canada must continue to work together to not only expand our economies and spur job growth, but also to enhance our shared security.”
“The Action Plan is a win-win proposition for Canada and the U.S. that will deliver concrete results. Secretary Napolitano and I look forward to our continued work together and these bilateral meetings are critical to drive the process forward,” Toews also said.
During his visit in Washington, Minister Toews also met with other U.S. officials and is very pleased with the bilateral cooperation being made on issues such as cyber security, aviation security and counter-terrorism.
Minister Toews and Secretary Napolitano will meet again at the Cross-Border Crime Forum meeting being held in Ottawa in March 2012. The forum is a joint effort of Public Safety Canada, the Department of Justice Canada, the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
It contributes to enhancing cooperation on key cross-border crime and security issues, with a particular focus on addressing a number of cross-border issues, including terrorism, organized crime, drugs trafficking, economic crime, prosecutions and other concerns.
