Minister hosts U.S. and European counterparts in security talks

Federal Minister of the Interior Dr. Hans-Peter Friedrich met in Munich on 18 May with U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder as well as the interior ministers of France, Poland, Italy, Spain and the U.K.

Federal Minister Friedrich, Secretary Napolitano and Attorney General Holder met with their European counterparts to discuss piracy at sea, which they identified as a serious threat to shipping and ships' crews. One purpose of their meeting was to share experience on various aspects of fighting this threat. Regarding another threat, the travel movements of terrorists, Federal Minister Friedrich stated that Germany had been working for some time to get the EU to focus more strongly on keeping terrorists from travelling. The minister stressed that information-sharing between the G6 countries and the U.S. was working very well.

In the morning, the officials from the European countries, known as the G6, discussed the current situation in North Africa and Syria. Aside from the positive aspects of the Arab Spring, the ministers noted with concern the risk of growing political instability in some of the Arab countries. The ministers discussed security and migration policy and the impact of the developments in North Africa and Syria.

Another topic at the meeting was the European Commission proposals for reforming data protection in the area of justice and home affairs. Federal Interior Minister Friedrich welcomed the goal of reforming European data protection law and stressed that Germany would play an active role in the process.

The next G6 meeting will be held in the U.K. in November.

Date

2012.05.18

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