LUXEMBOURG — European Union health ministers agreed to work "without delay" with drugmakers to develop a pilot vaccine to fight swine flu.

The EU ministers say they are committed "to closely cooperate together" to combat the spread of the virus across the 27-nation bloc and agreed to step up sharing health data such as treatment and prevention measures in the wake of the flu's spread.

The ministers, who held emergency talks today, also set up a special expert committee that will meet regularly to coordinate national measures, including travel advisories and communication campaigns to the public.

EU Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou said the EU has taken "a united front" to fight the disease which has already been confirmed in six European countries.

By The Associated Press