U.S.-Georgia Partnership to Enhance Aviation Security (September 21)
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Transportation
Security Administration (TSA) and the Georgian United Transport Administration
(UTA) announced on September 21 a cooperative effort to enhance aviation
security.
With the signing of a Joint Statement of Intent between the
TSA and the UTA, both agencies pledged to partner in a comprehensive program of
aviation security enhancements, including plans for comprehensive assessments,
developing targeted aviation security programs and sharing best practices.
To support this partnership, TSA has deployed an Aviation
Security Sustainable International Standards Team (ASSIST), a group of veteran
security experts, to collaborate with Georgian aviation security officials.
The
ASSIST group and UTA counterparts will assess such aviation security program
aspects as training needs, equipment and current aviation security laws and
regulations. Following the initial survey, TSA and UTA will work together to
effectively build sustainable aviation security institutions and practices.
The ASSIST program is part of TSA's ongoing efforts to promote the secure movement
of people and commerce worldwide. Through ASSIST, TSA has identified a number
of international lessons learned and best practices regarding aviation
security. TSA plans to expand this program to additional nations in the future.
More information on TSA and ASSIST is available at www.tsa.gov