Thaindian News

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (BNO NEWS) – Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano met on Tuesday with her counterparts from the Middle East region and officials from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to discuss ways to enhance aviation security, the DHS Press Office informed.

Secretary Napolitano traveled to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), at the invitation of UAE Minister of the Economy Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri, to attend and participate in a conference regarding aviation security.

“The attempted terrorist attack on Dec. 25 demonstrated that international terrorist threats must be countered with a coordinated, global response. My meetings today with partners from nations throughout the Middle East underscore our shared commitment to strengthening global aviation security to better protect the traveling public,” Napolitano said.

The conference was attended by ministers and representatives from many Mid East countries, including Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Yemen. Napolitano addressed the representatives of the attending countries as well as ICAO officials, stressing the need for collaborative international action to prevent terrorists from boarding commercial aircrafts.

Napolitano also reminded about the commitment made by the Obama Administration to strengthen information sharing with international partners about terrorists and other dangerous individuals, enhance cooperation on technological development and deployment, establish stronger aviation security measures and standards, and coordinate international technical assistance.

This was the fifth major international summit coordinated with ICAO. It is intended to build consensus around the world to enhance global aviation security. These meetings have resulted in joint declarations on aviation security with partners in Africa, the Asia/Pacific region, the Western Hemisphere, and Europe.