WASHINGTON — This week, Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security John K. Tien was in the United Kingdom and Germany for a range of bilateral and multilateral engagements with key European partners to advance homeland security objectives.
On November 14 and 15, Deputy Secretary Tien participated in the U.S-UK Joint Contact Group (JCG), hosted by Permanent Secretary Matthew Rycroft. Deputy Secretary Tien reiterated the Department’s close partnership and friendship with the UK Home Office and the enduring strength of the special relationship between our two countries. During the JCG, Deputy Secretary Tien and Permanent Secretary Rycroft agreed to continue their work to enhance cooperation in combating organized crime; responding to evolving threat landscapes; increasing information sharing; combating cyber crime and child sexual exploitation; and addressing transnational repression. Since its June 2003 inaugural meeting, the JCG has provided strategic direction for U.S.–UK homeland security cooperation and collaboration.
While in the United Kingdom, Deputy Secretary Tien also met with National Crime Agency Director General Graeme Biggars to discuss ongoing efforts to combat emerging transnational threats across the spectrum, including countering transnational criminal organizations and online threats like child sexual exploitation. Additionally, Deputy Secretary Tien met with Security Minister Tom Tugendhat to discuss opportunities for enhancing collaboration in combating state threats from Russia, China, and Iran, and countering terrorism and violent extremism.
Deputy Secretary Tien met with U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom Jane Hartley, Deputy Chief of Mission Matthew Palmer, and members of the Country Team for updates on our strong partnership with the United Kingdom. The Deputy Secretary visited with members of the DHS workforce stationed in the United Kingdom to hear their firsthand experiences.
On November 17-19, Deputy Secretary was in Wiesbaden and Eltville, Germany for the G7 Interior and Security Ministers Meeting, hosted by German Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser. During the G7 Ministerial, the Ministers discussed ongoing responses to Russia’s illegal, unprovoked war of aggression in Ukraine; enhancing economic security and increasing critical infrastructure protections; fighting against all forms of violent extremism and terrorism, specifically as it relates to racially and ethnically motivated violent extremism; and preventing human trafficking and protecting children from online abuse.
On the margins of the Ministerial, Deputy Secretary Tien met bilaterally with Minister Faeser; United Kingdom Home Secretary Suella Braverman; German Deputy Minister of the Federal Interior Hans-Georg Engelke; Canadian Deputy Minister of Public Safety Shawn Tupper; Italian Minister of the Interior Matteo Piantedosi; and EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson.
While in Germany, Deputy Secretary Tien also engaged with staff from across the DHS enterprise based in Germany to express gratitude for their dedicated service.
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