A meeting of key European home affairs ministers has agreed on the need for closer cooperation to tackle international terrorism, David Blunkett has said.

The home secretary was speaking on Tuesday following the conclusion of talks with his counterparts from Spain, Italy, France and Germany.

They agreed that Europol should give a higher priority to disrupting the flow of funds between terror groups.

And they called on the EU to improve its data sharing capabilities as part of a series of steps towards "ever closer co-operation on policing, data sharing and border security".

Agreement was also reached on the need for the EU to prioritise the introduction of biometric passports for all its citizens, provide advance information on passengers posing an immigration or security threat and improve information sharing on lost, stolen or forged travel documents.

"This would support member states in tackling terrorism and protecting their borders against immigration and drug crime," said a Home Office statement.

'Impetus'

Blunkett said the talks had "given a real impetus" to EU work on illegal immigration, border security and counter-terrorism.

"Terrorists and organised criminals do not respect borders and it is vital that we have effective laws, intelligence-led policing and close cross border co-operation to help us tackle international crime," he said.

"The larger EU countries have a particular role to play in developing DNA and fingerprint databases and tracking systems and encouraging other member states to focus on key measures to help us share intelligence."

While 20 of the EU's home affairs ministers were excluded from the "G5" talks, Blunkett said the agreements would "drive important progress" in key areas.

"It is vital that our actions complement rather than cut across EU co-operation, which is a very powerful tool in the fight against crime," he added.

"This is the kind of practical work that can lead to real results on securing our borders, ensuring effective policing and deterring terrorists and organised criminals.

"Co-operation with our EU colleagues is vital if we are to trace organised criminals and know the networks they are in contact with."