The freshman intake of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, the American military educational institution for future US officers, asked Jacques Colliard of the UIC Competence Centre for Security to make room once more for a visit to UIC as part of their field trip to Europe.

On 11 May 2009, a productive morning was spent at UIC, during which a number of important subjects were presented and subsequently discussed at length.

Paul Veron, UIC Communications Directeur, welcomed the group to UIC on behalf of Jean-Pierre Loubinoux, UIC Director-General of Services, outlining recent developments at UIC and describing the key issues in rail transport.

Ignacio Barron De Angoiti gave a presentation on the potential offered by high speed rail services, a subject of particular relevance in the USA at present in the light of President Obama’s recent statements on the issue.

Marie Hélène Bonneau presented the European security research programmes currently underway.

Jean Pierre Lehman, UIC Legal Director, highlighted the developments in security organisation in Europe and beyond, with reference to the changing structure of railway companies and increasing liberalisation in rail transport markets.

Finally, Ludovic Maréchal presented the standpoint of the French Ministry of Ecology, Energy, Sustainable Development and Urban and Regional Planning.

This fifth visit bolstered the close links between UIC and ICAF centred on partnership and discussion, which run parallel to the work conducted with the Federal Railroad Administration and the Transportation Security Administration, particularly in the context of the International Working Group on Land Transport Security, at which UIC represents the rail sector.