The European Union, Russia and the United States agreed today to cooperate more closely on security, pledging to focus on problems related to migration, border controls and drug trafficking.
After a meeting in Berlin, participants also said they would work together to agree on a common definition of the term "terrorism".
"Terrorism and organised crime have become global phenomena," German Interior Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble told reporters at a news conference with his counterparts.
"All three partners share responsibility to serve as an engine for international cooperation in home affairs policy."
As EU President, Germany hosted the meeting.
The ministers agreed on the need to improve the efficiency of the world police body Interpol to track stolen travel documents and pledged to work more closely on sharing data to minimise document forgery.
The ministers also discussed the importance of border controls and EU Justice and Security Commissioner Franco Frattini said Russia was ready to cooperate with new EU members Romania and Bulgaria over the Black Sea frontiers.
Mr Frattini said a delegation from EU border agency Frontex would visit the United States in coming weeks to promote cooperation.
Mr Schaeuble has said he hopes EU ministers will agree in April to create a rapid response force of border guards who could be dispatched to help EU states cope with sudden influxes of illegal migrants.
Officials complain that Frontex, set up in 2005 to coordinate border operations and train border guards from EU states, is chronically underequipped.
Ministers also discussed the problem of drugs trafficking and noted that the stabilisation of Afghanistan, the world's biggest source of opium, was crucial.
The EU and United States will continue consultations, including the issue of sharing data on airline passengers, tomorrow.