Bahrain-US security cooperation discussed

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa received yesterday acting US Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf and his accompanying delegation in the presence of Public Security Chief, Interior Ministry Undersecretary for Nationality, Passport and Residence Affairs, Bahrain Ambassador to the US, Customs Chief and Head of the National Centre for Cyber Security.

The Interior Minister lauded strategic relations and partnership between Bahrain and the US, stressing common keenness on further developing them for the best interest of the two friendly countries.

The meeting cast light on fields of joint cooperation and security coordination regarding fighting cybercrimes and booting procedures related to protecting the vital infrastructure between the National Centre for Cyber Security in the Kingdom and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) of the US Department of Homeland Security. Both sides also discussed issues of common concern.

General Shaikh Rashid and Secretary Wolf signed three memoranda of joint cooperation concerning the security of borders and commodities, fighting terrorism and organised cross-border crimes, and Global Entry, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) programme.

The programme aims to support trade and enhance the security of passengers. It will provide Bahraini nationals with the rapid travel service to the US. The three security partnerships, launched by both countries, will expand the scope of information, share and build capabilities and exchange experiences and best practices, as they aim to ensure maximum security and stability for both countries in the face of terrorism, extremism and cross-border crimes.

The Bahraini Ministry of Interior and the US Department of Homeland Security expressed their aspiration to implement the three security cooperation agreements and to emphasise the long-standing partnership between the two countries in the field of security.