The interior ministers of the Commonwealth Independent States (CIS) member states on Saturday approved a joint anti-terrorism plan for 2005, the Interfax news agency reported.

"The plan provides for the implementation of joint operating and preventative anti-terrorist measures for the entire Commonwealth territory," Russian Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliyev told a press conference following a meeting of the CIS Interior Minister Council.

The CIS groups all former Soviet republics except the three Baltic states.

The interior ministers noted that in the face of new challenges and threats, there is a need for close cooperation and resolute measures with use of all available resources, according to Nurgaliyev.

The CIS ministers suggested that a biometric informational system called "CIS-Visit" be introduced, saying it is "the most efficient tool for solving problems in fighting terrorism, and is much advanced."

Nurgaliyev pointed out that the main task for the CIS law enforcement agencies is to consolidate anti-terror efforts, adding that the recent tragic events (terror attacks including hostage-taking and bombing) in Russia and other countries indicate that international terrorism is still rampant.

Terrorism, which is aimed at destabilizing some countries and the whole region, is without borders, he added.

Source: Xinhua