Putin: Terrorist threat from Mideast requires better cooperation between special services

MOSCOW, October 28. /TASS/. Growing terrorist threat in the Middle East and North Africa requires strengthening cooperation between special services of different countries, Russian President Vladimir Putin wrote in the address to the session of the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) council of heads of security services and special services.

"The current geopolitical situation in the world requires to intensify search for effective ways to respond to modern threats and challenges," Putin wrote. "Expanding terrorist activities and radical groups merging with transnational organized crime are especially dangerous today. The situation in the Middle East and North Africa is especially worrying. Terrorists are trying this region as a foothold, where they recruit and train militants who can be used for destabilization in other countries," the president stressed noting that "it is important to steadily increase the level of cooperation, use modern methods, develop common approaches to solving problems."

Putin noted that sessions of the CIS council of heads of security services and special services "remain a popular multilateral platform where representatives of CIS countries’ special services have an opportunity to exchange their experience, discuss the most pressing professional issues."