Uzbek official said the Interior Ministry is studying experience of the CIS, where biometric passports are issues and legislative base, regulating their registration. He added that new draft regulation on passport system of Uzbekistan will be developed based on this.

DADRC and its divisions in the region are working on determining number of biometric passports, which should be issued within 2010-2015.

Shorihsiev said the technical issues are solved as well. He said divisions of DADRC will be equipped with modern technology for collection of biometric data and issuance of biometric passports. He added Interior Ministry’s structures will have high-speed communication channels

Uzbek official said that about 215 centers for collection of biometric data and formation of application for passport production will be created across Uzbekistan. He said the centers will prepare passports with personal biometric data based on received application.

As earlier reported, Uzbek President Islam Karimov signed a decree to introduce biometric passports in Uzbekistan from 1 January 2010.

The document said that biometric passports will be introduced in several stages and the government will create special body, which will gather information on passport holders.

The decree said employees of ministries and state bodies of Uzbekistan and individuals, traveling abroad, as well as citizens, who are receiving new passports, will get biometric passports in the first stage (in 2010).

All citizens of Uzbekistan will receive new passports in the second stage (2010-2015).

The document also included measures on creating necessary infrastructure for issuing biometric passports and storing biometric information of citizens.

The biometric passport is a combined paper and electronic identity document that uses biometrics to authenticate the identity of travelers.

It uses contactless smart card technology, including a microprocessor chip (computer chip) and antenna (for both power to the chip and communication) embedded in the front or back cover, or centre page, of the passport.

The decree said biometric passports are introduced in line with the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). ICAO entrusted member states to introduce biometric passports till 2010.