It was also attended by the heads of Chambers of the Oliy Majlis, representatives of the Office of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, members of the government, senior officials of the central and territorial offices of the National Security Service. 

At the meeting it was noted that at all times one of the main tasks of any state was and remains ensuring security of the individual, society and the state. 

That is why issues of national security were placed at the center of domestic and foreign policy in Uzbekistan since the first days of independence. 

Relevance of these tasks at present stage is conditioned by intensification of a number of transnational threats, such as international terrorism, religious extremism, drug and weapons trafficking, human trafficking, and other dangerous challenges. 

It was emphasized that over the past period the National Security Service made a significant contribution to ensuring sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Uzbekistan. 

This was especially evident in the most difficult years, when various cataclysms took place in the near and far abroad, attempts of destructive forces to violate peace and stability in the country were observed.

At the meeting held under the chairmanship of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on January 31, activities of individual departments of the National Security Service and its territorial offices were criticized on the basis of an objective assessment. Specific shortcomings and omissions in organization of interagency cooperation, conduction of operational and investigative measures, as well as working with personnel were noted. 

The Head of the state noted the need of restructuring the National Security Service, taking into account modern requirements. Importance of abolition of departments that are engaged in tasks that are not peculiar to the special service was emphasized, which in a number of cases led to substitution of functions of other state structures, as well as strengthening departments in the most relevant areas of national security. 

Taking into account the large-scale tasks set in the Development Strategy of Uzbekistan, priority tasks of the National Security Service for the near future were determined in the context of a new stage in development of the country, which is characterized by cardinal transformations that meet the requirements of time in almost all spheres.

At the expanded collegium meeting of the National Security Service of the Republic of Uzbekistan, President of the country emphasized that the National Security Service, as one of the state power structures, must carry out its activities according to the principle “People must not serve the Government bodies, rather the Government bodies must serve the people”, which has become a guide to action for all ministries and agencies of the republic. 

Importance of developing and adopting the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On the National Security Service” this year, which will determine the main functions and tasks of the National Security Service and, most importantly, will allow to clearly delineate authority of the power bodies, was noted. 

The Head of the state emphasized that personnel are the guarantee of effective activity of the National Security Service, as well as of any other agency or organization, especially its leading employees, their dedication, professionalism, hard work and high responsibility. 

Departments of the National Security Service should, within the framework of their competence, provide active assistance to the population in solving their problems, local government bodies and other state bodies – in implementation of large-scale reforms. 

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan demanded special attention from leaders and professors of the educational institutions of the National Security Service for educating young personnel in the spirit of devotion to the Motherland, strict observance of the requirements of the national legislation, resistance to various experiences, aspiration for constant self-improvement and professional growth.

Source: UzA