MOSCOW, December 19 (RIA Novosti) - Russian President Vladimir Putin praised Monday the activities of the Foreign Intelligence Service, including in the counter-terrorism sphere.
"The special services should respond to these [new] challenges promptly and properly, and display flexibility, high mobility and quality of your activities," Putin said at a ceremony marking the 85th anniversary of the service's founding.
"You should be able to look into the future and forecast potential threats to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of this country," he said.
Putin, who himself worked overseas in the security services in Soviet times, said the service should focus on arms control and the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction given that the risks of extremists seizing weapons of mass destruction were currently high.
Putin said the Russian intelligence service provided ample information for decision-making.
"The country's leadership highly evaluates the work of the Foreign Intelligence Service," the president said. "I know that you give the information that can be relied upon in making important political decisions and you fulfill all orders precisely and on time."
He added that the quality of information the service provides had improved in recent years and includes detailed analysis, forecasts and specific solutions for existing problems.
Putin said the Foreign Intelligence Service worked in an oriented manner, making good progress and achieving results.
