U.S. and UK Sign Homeland Security Agreement

Wednesday, UK Home Secretary David Blunkett and U.S. Homeland Security Deputy Secretary James Loy signed a memorandum of agreement "establishing a framework for cooperation in science and technology in critical infrastructure protection and other homeland/civil security concerns."

Loy and Blunkett issued the following joint statement:
"We are pleased to announce the signing of the Science and Technology Agreement, which outlines formal UK-US arrangements for future cooperation in the area of science and technology research and development.

"This agreement demonstrates the strong relationship between the UK and U.S. to further scientific research and development that will help advance the security of our respective countries. The Agreement supports the following:

• exchanges of homeland/civil security information and associated exchanges of scientists, engineers, and other experts
• development of threat and vulnerability assessments for critical infrastructure, strategies for protection of automated control systems and other systems at risk
• development and exchange of commercially adaptable best practices, standards, and guidelines
• development, testing and evaluation of homeland/civil security technologies
• utilization of each country's respective research, development, testing and evaluation capacities.

"This agreement represents the continuing commitment by the UK and the U.S. to share knowledge, expertise and research in addition to development, testing and evaluation capabilities that will help us find the best technologies and tools to prepare and protect our countries."