Over a period of six days Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano traveled to Germany, Jordan and Israel. The German portion of the Secretary’s travels included her attending the G6+1 Conference of Home Affairs Ministers in Munich to “discuss efforts to combat terrorism and international piracy, and to ensure a more safe, secure, and resilient global supply chain.” Secretary Napolitano, who was accompanied by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, said, “International security and homeland security are inextricably linked. We will continue to work with our international partners to strengthen and secure the global transportation systems upon which our nations’ economies and communities rely.”

While in Israel Secretary Napolitano delivered remarks at the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism on “the Department’s collaboration with international partners to combat terrorism and facilitate trade and travel.” The Secretary, “underscored the importance of partnering with Israel to address shared challenges – from preventing terrorism to securing the global supply chain to preparing for and recovering from natural disasters.” During her visit to Israel the Secretary also announced that Global Entry, “a risk-based trusted traveler program that expedites pre-approved, low risk travelers through Customs and Immigration at US ports of entry upon arrival,” has been expanded to include Israel.

In Jordan, the final leg of her three- country visit, Secretary Napolitano signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Jordanian Minister of Transport Hashem Al Masaeed, “to promote collaboration and information sharing on aviation security between the Transportation Security Administration and the Jordanian Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission. There were also discussions on “cooperation between the two nations on issues such as law enforcement, aviation security and global supply chain security.” Before leaving Jordan, Secretary Napolitano “delivered remarks on women and next generation leadership in security at the Columbia University Middle East Research Center.”