MOSCOW. March 11 (Interfax-AVN) - President Vladimir Putin took steps on Tuesday to better coordinate the activities of security agencies, Alexei Gromov, the president's press secretary, told journalists.
Another goal is to avoid any redundant functions and to optimize spending.
"The creation of a new state committee in charge of countering drug trafficking is a well-prepared decision," he said.
Gromov recalled that the president has repeatedly pointed to the need to intensify the fight against drug trafficking. The establishment of the new body with broader powers would help strengthen the coordination of forces in against the drug business.
The press secretary stressed that almost all of the new committee's resources are already in place and it will be able to start working soon.
Regarding the president's decision to transfer the functions of the Federal Border Guard Service to the Federal Security Service, Gromov noted this was "the initiative" of the border guard service, put forth primarily in the context of the fight against terrorism.
Concerning the appointment of Vladimir Matyukhin as first deputy defense minister in charge of the newly-created committee, the press secretary stressed that this is the first agency to coordinate all purchases of conventional weapons for the army.
Gromov said that the appointment of Konstantin Totsky of the Federal Border Guard Service as Russia's envoy to NATO is not just a personnel decision. The appointment of Russia's ambassador for the first time since the creation of the Russia-NATO Council points to the significant importance the country attaches to its contacts with the alliance.
The appointment of Mikhail Fradkov as Russia's envoy to the EU confirms the country's readiness to bring its relations with the EU to a higher level.
Gromov noted that discussions are underway on additional cooperation instruments between Russia and the EU in the form of direct contacts between Russian ministries and agencies and EU commissions. Fradkov will be in charge of coordinating this work, the press secretary stressed.