Russia and Central Asian countries should join efforts and make further preparations to wipe out all the illegal militants, said Russian Defense Minister Igor Sergeyev in Fergana on November 4.

Situation in the regions of Balkan, Central Asia and the Northern Caucasus has shown that terrorism has become an " international issue" that is threatening the stability and security of countries, regions and the world, said Sergeyev.

The minister said this after a joint military exercise, Southern Shield 99, carried out by Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan with the aim to improve their tactics fighting against terrorists.

An international strategy "should be urgently worked out" to strike terrorism, he added, revealing that similar exercise will be conducted in 2000.

"A current dangerous trend has been shaped, featuring the collaboration of international terrorists and organized crimes," said Sergeyev, warning that the illegal militants, though having withdrawn, could invade Kyrgyzstan next spring.