Member states of the European Union (EU) and five countries to join the bloc soon vowed to increase information exchanges against terrorism at Friday's security meeting here, but failed to reach an agreement on establishing a joint intelligence service.

The interior ministers and officials of these countries agreed to share data and exchange information under their own laws to combat crimes and international terrorism more effectively.

They also pledged to shoulder the responsibility for the security of the EU's new borders after it takes in 10 new countries on May 1.

Present at the meeting were representatives from Germany, France, Britain, Italy, Spain and Austria, as well as would-be EU members of Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Hungary.

French Interior and Domestic Security Minister Dominique de Villepin told reporters Friday that the EU must step up border security because illegal migration in the region heightened the risk of terror attacks.

"The protection of our borders is of great concern for all of Europe's states. This concern should now be shared by the 10 new countries that will join the EU," de Villepin said after the meeting.

He added, "We cannot underestimate the link between illegal migration in Europe and terrorist networks."'

But France and Germany turned down Austria's proposal on setting up a joint intelligence organ, citing the timing as reason.

The Austrian side proposed a six-point plan to strengthen security in the region. It included promoting international cooperation against terrorism, share information about entry applicants, intensifying airport safety, and introducing biometric technologies into security check.

On May 1, the EU will take in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta and Cyprus, most of whom were traditionally regarded as allies or satellite countries of the former Soviet Union.

(Xinhua News Agency April 17, 2004)