CIS countries must stand together to counter new national security threats - Putin
MOSCOW. May 22 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin believes that new ways of reacting to the challenges of today should be found and that security and intelligence agencies should play a key role in maintaining national security.
"The situation that we have in the world today calls for finding new and effective ways of reacting to modern challenges," Putin said in a greeting message to the participants in the 15th Meeting of the security and intelligence agencies of CIS member countries that was published on the Kremlin's website.
As key challenges, Putin mentioned terrorist activities, the nexus between radical groups and transnational organized crime, illegal migration, drug trafficking, and serious environmental risks.
"In this situation, the CIS countries have common goals and objectives in terms of maintaining national security, protecting sovereignty and foundations of the State, rights and freedoms of the people. However, security and intelligence agencies should be playing a prominent role, a pivotal role in this and they are increasingly required to do a high-quality and effective work in all the main areas of their scope," Putin said.