US security Chief calls for closer ties with region

David Tiedge, told delegates at the Airports, Ports and Terminal Security Middle East (APTS ME) conference in Dubai that political changes in the region meant the time was now ripe for greater co-operation with the region.

He said: "It is extremely important for the United States to be more involved with the Arab world. It is time to grab the opportunity to work more closely together and develop a strong partnership.

"APTS Middle East is an important opportunity to share experience in aviation and maritime security and it is an event we can build on.

"Co-operation is key to combating terrorist threats in the wake of the use of aircraft as weapons of mass destruction in the September 11 attack. I would like to see the Middle East countries working closer together with each other and the US in a framework of permanent collaboration.

"We have to work in partnership with experts from the US sitting down with regional specialists on a regular basis to tackle all transportation security issues."

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Security Panel, the world body governing aviation security, will debate stronger regulations at a meeting at the end of this month and Mr Tiedge urged support for these measures.

He said: "New amendments to existing rules on security have been proposed and it is essential that these are agreed. If they are not adopted now it could be two years before there are changes and we can't afford to wait that long. We need to raise the baseline now."

The APTS conference and exhibition has attracted companies from the United Kingdom, United States of America, Ireland, France, China, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates.

"APTS has helped forge relationships across the regional security community which can be built upon in the future.

"The event has been tremendously successful in attracting leading industry experts, and delegates and visitors are already signing up for next year's event.

"In 2006 we will have a larger exhibition and an additional conference focussing on issues of international intelligence in the transport industry including passenger profiling and container tracking," said David Wood, Managing Director, International Business Events Ltd. (IBE).

APTS ME will be followed by a special seminar hosted by the ICAO tomorrow (March 16).

The seminar will discuss greater awareness of the importance of security in civil aviation today and its impact on the international aviation economy.

APTS ME concludes its run at the Grand Hyatt convention centre tonight.

The main supporters of APTS Middle East are the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation and Dubai Ports Authority.

Other supporters include the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO); Arab Air Carriers Organisation (AACO); Dubai Ports Authority, Department of Civil Aviation, Dubai; Dubai Shipping Agents Association (DSAA); UK Trade and Investment; Royal Aeronautical Society, UK; British Airports Group and Ports and Terminals Group, UK.