Senior US and Kuwaiti officials convened the Security Cooperation Working Group of the fourth Strategic Dialogue today, November 16, 2020, to discuss bilateral cooperation in the fields of counterterrorism, cyber security, and law enforcement. The US and Kuwait will also negotiate closer coordination on mutual legal assistance.
State Department Bureau of Counterterrorism Coordinator Ambassador Nathan Sales, Department of Treasury Acting Assistant Secretary Paul Ahern and A/FM for Development and International Cooperation Nasser Sabeeh Al-Sabeeh co-chaired the meeting with participation from the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Justice, among others.
Also present from the US side was US Ambassador to Kuwait Alina L. Romanowski, Department of Justice Deputy Assistant Attorney General Bruce Swartz, Near East Affairs Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Joey Hood, and State Department Deputy Coordinator for Cyber Issues Michele G. Markoff.
“I am very proud of the progress we made today in our discussions on security. Both the United States and Kuwait want to keep our countries safe, and being able to cooperate on counterterrorism, cyber security and all aspects of security really enhances those efforts,” Ambassador Romanowski said.
“The United States stands ready to provide our expertise and assistance on security matters affecting Kuwait,” she added.
The discussion focused on counterterrorism financing, cybersecurity, and enhancing the law enforcement working relationship between our two countries.
The U.S.–Kuwait Strategic Dialogue, first launched four years ago, is an annual high-level series of meetings which frames the two countries’ work on issues of shared concern. The next working group on Consular and Customs is scheduled for Wednesday, November 18.
