September 19, 2014 Ottawa, Ontario Public Safety Canada
The Honourable Steven Blaney, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, issued the following statement after returning from a visit to Israel and the West Bank where he spoke at Israel’s Fourth Annual International Cyber Security Conference and met with senior Israel and Palestinian officials on public safety matters of mutual interest.
“During my visit to Israel, I attended a major cyber conference in Tel Aviv that attracted experts in the field of cyber security from around the world. I spoke about our Government’s ongoing efforts to protect Canadians from cyber threats and our commitment to work with our allies to collectively strengthen the resilience of global critical cyber infrastructure.
Also while in Tel Aviv, I met with Israel’s Minister of Finance, Yair Lapid, and signed a Declaration of Intent to begin negotiations on a customs Mutual Recognition Arrangement which will enhance border and trade chain security.
I had the pleasure to meet with Yitzhak Aharonovitch, Minister of Public Security, to discuss our ministries’ on-going engagement on public safety issues pursuant to the Canada-Israel Declaration of Intent. I also met with Yuval Steinitz, Minister of Intelligence, and Moshe Yaalon, Minister of Defence, to discuss the security situation in Israel and the broader Middle East region.
In the West Bank, Major-General Haj (Ismael) Jabir, National Security Advisor to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and I discussed the development of the Palestinian Security Forces and the Palestinian Civil Police. Brigadier General Yousef Al-Hilou, Commander of the General Military Training Commission, provided me with a tour of the Presidential Guard Training Centre.
Our Government is committed to building a safe and secure Canada. We have been clear in our support of Israel as a great friend and ally and we look forward to working together with Israel to help protect each of our great countries from cyber threats.”
-The Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Contacts
Jason Tamming
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
613-991-2924
Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
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