Embassy News
Riga, September 11, 2012
After the signing, from left: Sara Stealy, the U.S. Embassy's Political Officer and Māris Gorodcovs, Director of the Civil Aviation Agency.
The strong relationship between the United States and Latvia moved forward today with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding that will allow the two allies to share sensitive security information in a more effective and efficient way. The agreement establishes guidelines and procedures by which the U.S. Transportation Security Administration and the Latvian Civil Aviation Agency will share, handle, and protect sensitive information. Through this cooperation, the United States and Latvia will be better able to counter terrorism threats related to transportation security. On the eleventh anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, this signing is a clear example of how Latvia and the United States are working together ever more closely.
The agreement also establishes a foundation to pursue new opportunities for joint initiatives, such as incorporating risk and vulnerability into security assessments, mitigating insider threats, and advancing security technology. Nearly half of U.S. visitors from overseas arrive from Europe, making the region a key partner in aviation security.