Dmitry Medvedev held a Security Council meeting on developing modern telecommunications systems for national defence and security needs and maintaining law and order. The Security Council members discussed a draft of the main state policy directions in this area until 2020, and the steps needed to implement them.

All outdated analogue systems should be replaced with digital systems as part of the programme to establish a common command system for troops and weapons at tactical level by 2012. This applies above all to military units in the North Caucasus Military District, the President said.

The main subject of discussion was the progress achieved in implementing projects in the field of telecommunications and information technologies, in particular the development in Russia of digital broadcasting, the provision of high-speed broadband Internet access, and the development of telemedicine.

Russia Today’s Editor-in-Chief, Margarita Simonyan, showed the President around the offices and told him about the studios operation.

Mr Medvedev looked over the technical equipment and installations and spoke with the staff.