Silva said the new passport, which conforms to new European standards, was a significant contribution to security, as it contained a machine-readable microchip bearing personal data, a digital photo and fingerprints.

The passport costs 60 euros (76.85 U.S. dollars), twice the cost of previous versions which will remain valid until their official expiry dates.

European Union member states have until the end of August to introduce biometric passports, which are largely part of anti-terror measures passed after the Sept. 11 attacks in the United States in 2001