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The session participants reviewed the Ministry’s work in 2002 and identified its key priorities for the year ahead.

In his opening remarks, President Putin said the mission of interior agencies was to protect the individual rights of citizens and to maintain public security. He said there had been some improvement on last year’s performance, but that people in Russia still did not feel secure enough in their everyday life.

Mr Putin said drug trafficking and abuse was another major challenge that needed to be faced. He called for consistent efforts to eliminate drug trafficking infrastructure and transport routes, as well as to improve substance abuse prevention programmes and rehabilitation treatment for addicts.

He said interior agencies should also protect private entrepreneurs from criminal pressure and abuse by civil servants, while at the same time preventing the misappropriation of private and public property.

But he said there were no plans for a ministry overhaul so far.

The President used the occasion to thank Interior Ministry troops and special units for their efforts to combat terrorism and enhance republican and local government agencies in Chechnya.