MADRID - Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano today joined Spanish First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba to sign an agreement on scientific and technological cooperation - sharing best practices to prevent and detect threats in addition to strengthening research and development.
"International collaboration in science and technology is a major part of our ongoing efforts to counter threats of terrorism," said Secretary Napolitano. "This agreement demonstrates concrete and practical steps that the United States and Spain are taking to further strengthen cooperation and to research while sharing cutting-edge technologies to ensure our mutual security."
During today’s meeting, Secretary Napolitano and Minister Rubalcaba reiterated their commitment to foster bilateral cooperation in scientific and technological fields that have a direct impact on national security—underscoring the need to amplify research, evaluation, and preparation of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and anti-explosive protection measures to better protect the flow of commerce and the citizens of both nations.
The agreement, which highlights collaboration with the private sector, public organizations and academic institutions, will support scientific and technological solutions through the following actions:
•Joint and coordinated research to fill technical capability gaps in homeland security needs
•Development of technologies that help prevent and respond to national security threats
•Increased access to national laboratories and universities to carry out research, development, testing, and evaluation activities for homeland security
•Promotion and development of transportation security
•Protection of critical infrastructure
•Establishment of working groups, scientific seminars, and conferences to analyze emerging challenges to national security
•Exchange of technology, staff and information
To date, the United States has signed similar agreements with 11 other nations, such as Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
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