MOSCOW. Jan 15 (Interfax-AVN) - President Vladimir Putin has praised the work accomplished by the Federal Security Service in 2003.
"In general, units of the Federal Security Service accomplished their missions successfully," Putin said at a Federal Security Service meeting on Thursday.
He thanked the Federal Security Service personnel for "diligent service and for performing their difficult and risky duties."
Yet Putin stressed, "perfection of the national security system is always on the agenda of every country."
He said Russia "would give the closest attention to this key issue."
"The reliable provision of security is a token of social stability, a condition of sustainable democratic development and a main factor for Russia's economic progress," Putin said.
He said the service would discuss the fight against terrorism, economic security, illegal migration, border reinforcement, "the containment of foreign espionage, measures against organized crime and corruption and the personnel policy of the Federal Security Service."
"These tasks are an inseparable and very important part of the Federal Security Service's work, which targets the protection of national interests, democratic rights and freedoms, and the efficient protection of Russian citizens from domestic and foreign threats," he said.
Putin hopes that Federal Security Service staff members "realize the degree of their responsibility and the scale of their tasks."
"I am confident that the Federal Security Service and other national law-enforcement departments have the resources they need to accomplish their missions," the president said.