US, Chile Sign Statement To Enhance Defense Cooperation In Cyber Domain - Mattis

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 17th August, 2018) US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis said during a press conference in Chile that he signed an agreement with Chilean Defense Minister Alberto Espina to enhance bilateral defense cooperation especially on cyber security.

"The joint statement that we signed today will enhance our defense cooperation, specifically on cyber operations and protection of Chiles cyber domain," Mattis said on Thursday.

The agreement recognizes the threats to all democracies faced in the cyber realm, Mattis said.

Both defense chiefs, he added, also seek to strengthen collaboration in science and technology.

The US defense secretary also said the United States fully supports Chile's proposal for a regional cooperation mechanism to better enable humanitarian assistance in a natural disaster.

Mattis is currently on his first trip to South America as US defense chief to meet with his counterparts in the region. Mattis was in Brazil and Argentina earlier this week and will also visit Colombia.