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THE SECURITY COUNCIL |

[ INSTITUTIONS / The Security Council ] |

National security is a very broad term that encompasses the security of the individual, society and the state in the face of both internal and external threats.

National security involves priority areas such as state security, public safety, socioeconomic security and security in the spheres of defense, information, the military and international affairs.

The need for constant analysis and strategic planning regarding all security issues, as well as the drafting of presidential decisions, necessitates the existence of a special constitutional advisory body accountable to the President. This body is the Security Council.

The Security Council drafts policy proposals on defending the vital interests of individuals, society and the state against internal or external threats. The council also helps determine a uniform state policy on security and helps ensure the President’s ability to carry out his constitutional duties in defending human and civil rights, as well as Russia’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.

The Security Council is formed by the President in accordance with the Constitution and the federal law “On Security.” The President chairs the council and appoints its members. The secretary of the Security Council, who answers directly to the President, oversees the council’s work and its Administrative Office. The Security Council was formed in 1992. In 1999, Mr. Putin was secretary; at present, Igor Ivanov holds the post.

The Administrative Office of the Security Council is a separate department of the Presidential Administration; its status within the administration is that of a central directorate. The Administrative Office includes a secretariat and eight directorates. In order to carry out its functions, the Security Council forms inter-agency commissions, which operate as its principal working bodies. Depending on the task, these commissions can be formed on a functional or regional basis, and can be permanent or temporary. In order to provide scholarly expertise for the council’s work, there is a Scholarly Council made up of representatives of the Russian Academy of Sciences, specialized academies of science and educational institutions, as well as other academics and experts.

Regular meetings of the Security Council are held according to a schedule set by the Chairman; if necessary, the council can hold extraordinary meetings. The Chairman defines the agenda and order of the day based on recommendations by the Secretary. The Chairman presides over meetings, while the Secretary holds working meetings with council members on a regular basis.

The Security Council draws up crucial documents defining conceptual approaches to national security.

On January 10, 2000, the President approved a new version of the National Security Concept. This document outlines a systematic approach to providing security for the individual, society and state against possible internal or external threats, and identifies key aspects of state policy in various areas of public life.

It also serves as a basis for other conceptual documents aimed at ensuring security in crucial spheres such as the economy, social policy and political life.

On April 21, 2000, the President approved the Military Doctrine of the Russian Federation, which identifies the key political, strategic and economic factors essential to ensuring Russia’s military security. The doctrine was designed to address the needs of a transitional period – a period involving the stabilization of the democratic state, a variegated economy, an overhaul of the military and a transformation of the system of international relations.

On September 9, 2000, the Information Security Doctrine of the Russian Federation was adopted. The doctrine is an extension of the National Security Concept as it pertains to information, and is designed to enhance state policy on information security. Its aim is to help formulate the legal, methodological, technical and organizational provisions for information security in Russia and to help develop specific programs for this purpose.

On July 27, 2001, the Naval Doctrine of the Russian Federation was adopted. This document, which covers a period up to 2020, defines the naval policy of the Russian Federation.

President Putin has also approved the Foreign Policy Concept of the Russian Federation. This provides for a systematic approach to the content and direction of Russian foreign policy.

The original texts of these and other documents are available on the Security Council’s official web site.

|  | The Security Council web site
|  | The National Security Concept
|  | The Military Doctrine of the Russian Federation
|  | The Information Security Doctrine of the Russian Federation
|  | The Naval Doctrine of the Russian Federation
|  | The Foreign Policy Concept of the Russian Federation

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