.gif)
Interpol has chosen a Ukrainian-led consortium to produce new electronic passports for its officers to help them in cross-border crime-fighting, the international police agency announced Monday.
Delivering the keynote address to an International Civil Aviation Organization symposium on biometrics and security standards, Interpol Secretary General Ronald Noble said the documents are aimed at ensuring that officers can travel freely in order to assist in the apprehension or transfer of fugitives.
"Criminals can cross borders swiftly and effortlessly, while our heads of national central bureaus and even our headquarters staff are slowed down or stopped because of bureaucratic international red tape, which constitutes a major impediment to keeping the world safe," he said.
The new passport "marks a significant step forward not only in enabling law enforcement officers to carry out their duties, but also in setting global standards for secure travel documents, especially as the use of fraudulent passports by terrorists poses the number one threat to the safety and security of citizens everywhere," he added.
The passport will include laser engraving and an electronic chip, as well as holographic, micrographic and optical security elements.
It will be developed by the EDAPS Consortium, which leads a group of 20 suppliers from 12 countries.
