The document – signed in Tel Aviv on Sunday by Canada’s minister of public safety, Stockwell Day, right, and Israeli Minister of Public Security Avi Dichter, left, – is intended “to enhance co-operation in the area of public safety” and is another indicator of continued warm relations between the two countries.

In a statement released by Canada’s Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Day said the declaration would help both countries address “common threats” to national security.

“Today’s declaration demonstrates the longstanding co-operation between Canada and Israel on public safety issues, and we welcome this increased co-operation in order to improve our countries’ capacity to protect our citizens,” Day said.

Among the items listed in the declaration, the two governments stated their intent to co-operate in the areas of border management and security; correctional services and prisons; illegal immigration; money laundering; organized crime; terrorist financing and trafficking in persons.

The document also outlines both countries’ desire to set up “clear lines of communication and points of contact” between them; to “identify and share public safety concerns on the basis of threats, risk assessments, priorities, vulnerabilities, and consequences” and to “facilitate technical exchange co-operation, including education, training, and exercises,” among other objectives.

The two countries also agreed to meet annually and “as needed” to work on and maintain security programs and “best practices.”

Last October, Dichter and Day met  in Ottawa while the Israeli minister was on a week-long trip through North America.

At the time, a report in the Jerusalem Post announced the two countries had signed an “interim agreement” on security matters after their meeting.

That report was premature, but on Monday a spokesperson for Day confirmed to The CJN that the new agreement was the result of “ongoing talks” between the two governments and is only intended as a “preliminary declaration” to help solidify the framework for more substantive work in the future.

No fixed schedule has been set, the spokesperson said.