Malta and the United States have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen their cooperation in aviation security.

Ambassador Douglas W. Kmiec, who signed on behalf of the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA), said the US was pledging to partner Malta in a comprehensive programme of aviation security enhancements and to support and cooperate in developing capacities and expertise in civil aviation security.

He said the TSA would be providing Malta with equipment to scan cargo and luggages and would provide additional operational support for security screening at Malta International Airport.

"St Augustine long taught us that the first duty of government is to ensure the safety of its citizens - what Augustine called the tranquillity of order. Count today as a win for the defenders of civil order and a loss for the agents of terror" the Ambassador said.

Justice and Home Affairs Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici said that through the years, the two countries had collaborated in areas such as customs screening, the visa waiver programme and illegal immigration. This MOU effectively cemented the already fruitful relationship that existed between the Manager of Airport Security in Malta and the TSA.

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