Airport security agreement signed between Spain and U.S.
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By m.p. - Jul 1, 2009 - 6:46 PM
It allows U.S. border officials to check passports in Madrid Barajas of passengers travelling to the United States

An immigration accord has been signed this Wednesday which allows United States border officials posted at Barajas Airport to check the passports of passengers travelling to the U.S.

The agreement signed by Spain’s Interior Minister, Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba, and the U.S. Homeland Security Secretary, Janet Napolitano, is designed to prevent illegal entry into U.S. territory and is a programme which has, in fact, been in operation for some months, EFE reports. The Minister noted that Barajas is on occasion used by some citizens of South American countries and Iraq to try to evade border controls in the United States.

Speaking at a press conference after the protocol was signed, Rubalcaba said it could be extended to other Spanish airports in the future, with a reciprocal agreement for Spanish officials to be posted in the United States also mentioned as a possibility.

Janet Napolitano was later due to meet the Prime Minister and two Cabinet members – the second Deputy Prime Minister, Elena Salgado, and the Justice Minister, Francisco Caamaño. Spain’s Defence Minister, Carme Chacón, is currently in the United States for a meeting with the U.S. Defence Secretary, Robert Gates.

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