EU-US-Canada experts on critical infrastructure protection to discuss development of cooperation

On 6-7 May the EU-US-Canada Expert Meeting on Critical Infrastructure Protection will take place in Riga, Hotel Radisson Blu "Daugava", 24 Kuģu iela. The meeting will bring together Member State officials from the critical infrastructure contact points and representatives from the US Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Public Safety Canada.

The Deputy State Secretary, Mr Dimitrijs Trofimovs, and representatives from public authorities responsible for critical infrastructure protection will represent Latvia at the meeting.

Experts will discuss the impact of critical infrastructure on the national internal security, and the improving of international cooperation. Among the most important issues to be discussed will be the management of cyber security and capacity to act in critical situations, and the impact of climate changes and natural disasters on critical infrastructure objects. Discussions will take place in working groups during which participants will seek solutions to various critical infrastructure threats.

Mr Dimitrijs Trofimovs points out that the aim of the meeting is to exchange information, achieve a common understanding and adopt best practice from other countries in the field of critical infrastructure protection.

Critical infrastructures consist of those physical and information technology facilities, networks, services and assets which, if disrupted or destroyed, would have a serious impact on the health, safety, security or economic well-being of citizens.

The transatlantic cooperation provides information exchange on the protection of critical infrastructure objects and the coordination of strategic policy issues. These meetings take place since 2010.