Russia and Germany to step up cooperation against car thefts

Russia and Germany are going to heighten cooperation in the struggle against car thieves, as well as in improving methods of their identification.

Two interior ministers, Boris Gryzlov of Russia and Otto Schily of Germany, told reporters in Berlin Tuesday after negotiations held during the now-ending visit of the former to West Germany.

It has been decided to set up two joint ad hoc groups. One of them will be looking in Russia for cars stolen in West Germany.

Boris Gryzlov reported that personnel boards of the Russian Interior Ministry have already held in Moscow a special operation checking the registration of second-hand cars of foreign make. Approximately 400 criminal cases on cars with forged number plates and faked documents have been initiated, said Gryzlov.

He believes that the existing methods of car body and engine numbering "cannot ensure 100-percent identification".

The other ad hoc group, made up of interior officers of the two countries and research workers, will develop new biometric methods for identification of criminals. It is planned to create general European standards for higher security in, for example, air transport.

The two ministers set high store by the current quality and level of cooperation between the Russian and German interior ministries, as well as by its development prospects.

On Tuesday, Boris Gryzlov flies to Moscow.