WASHINGTON—Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen M. Nielsen met with European Union Counter-Terrorism Coordinator Gilles de Kerchove. Secretary Nielsen and Mr. de Kerchove had a productive conversation about the current terror threat environment and how to expand our joint efforts in the global fight against terrorism.
During their conversation, Secretary Nielsen reaffirmed the importance of the partnership between the United States and the European Union and the importance of working together to combat transnational security threats. Secretary Nielsen also expressed the Department’s belief that we are stronger when we work together, and that she is proud of the longstanding relationship between the U.S. and the EU. She also recommitted to our close cooperation across a broad range of issues, from aviation security to combating terrorist use of the internet.
Additionally, Secretary Nielsen and Mr. de Kerchove discussed the importance of the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2396, a U.S.-led effort to combat terrorist travel through better watchlisting and traveler vetting. Secretary Nielsen highlighted that the United States hopes to collaborate with the EU and other partners to make sure countries live up to their commitments under the resolution so that we can close security gaps that terrorists exploit to slip across international border undetected.
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