U.S., Canada meet on border security

OTTAWA, May 27 (UPI) -- The United States and Canada not only share a border but also a determination to tackle transborder threats, the countries' security leaders said Wednesday.

"We are working in partnership to ensure we manage the border in a way that contributes to the well-being of our two countries and recognize that we can enhance our security without compromising trade," U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Canadian Public Safety Minister Peter Van Loan said in a joint news release after meeting in Ottawa Wednesday.

Van Loan and Napolitano said they were committed to a collaborative approach to the shared border that enhances security and public safety while stimulating trade and travel between countries.

The two agreed to:

-- Develop joint threat and risk assessments.

-- Advance initiatives that manage risk while facilitating movement of legitimate goods and people.

-- Work to ensure that separate systems prevent entry of dangerous goods or people to either country when national laws bar sharing managed risk initiatives.

-- Expand integrated law enforcement operations along the border and waterways to prevent criminals and terrorists terrorists from evading enforcement or harming the two countries.