The two countries said nuclear terrorism was "one of the most dangerous international security challenges" as presidents Vladimir Putin and George W. Bush unveiled the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism.

Under the plan, Russia and the United States agreed to work out rules for ensuring tighter control over nuclear materials and facilities, combat trafficking in nuclear substances and pre-empt would-be nuclear attackers.

"We stress that consolidated efforts and cooperation to combat the threat of nuclear terrorism will be carried out in accordance with international law," the two countries said in a joint statement after talks between Putin and Bush.

The initiative stipulates that Russia and the United States will work together on "development of technical means to combat nuclear terrorism".

It also says both sides will ensure "law enforcement takes all possible measures to deny safe haven to terrorists seeking to acquire or use nuclear materials".

Speaking at a joint news conference after a meeting with Bush, Putin said the nuclear cooperation plan was a US initiative that was supported by Russia and that called for "the most serious measures" to counter nuclear terror.

The scheme "reaffirms the shared desire of Russia and the United States to counter this dangerous threat and opens new horizons for our joint efforts" in this area, Putin said.

In a separate joint statement, Bush and Putin said they also planned to begin looking at ways for their countries to step up cooperation on nuclear energy to expand its use while tightening security controls.

"The United States and the Russian Federation believe that strengthening their cooperation in civil nuclear energy is in the strategic interests of both our countries," the statement said.

Putin and Bush said nuclear energy was a "cornerstone" of global economic development, especially as the world's energy demands continue to rise.

They said they had directed the US and Russian governments to begin negotiations aimed at forging a bilateral agreement on peaceful nuclear cooperation, with the involvement of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN's nuclear watchdog.

"We're talking about nuclear cooperation, and we're about to begin dialogues about how we can cooperate better when it comes to peaceful uses of nuclear power," Bush said at the news conference.

While Putin gave the United States credit for the initiative, it reflected ideas that have been central to Russia's public discussion of nuclear security issues, notably with respect to Iran.

The statement stressed the "vital role" of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in preventing nuclear proliferation and the "importance" of the IAEA's role in enforcing the treaty's safeguards.

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