The last Russian foreign policy doctrine was adopted in 1993 and much water has flowed under the bridge since then. Serious changes have taken place in the world and in Russia. Foreign policy, naturally, has to take all of this into account.

What is most innovative about the 2000 foreign policy doctrine is its realism. Our foreign policy priorities are now more closely linked than before to the long-term tasks of internal development and are more in keeping with Russia's real possibilities and resources.

Our primary foreign policy priority is to defend our citizens, society and state. This means we must make all efforts to ensure reliable security in the country, create favorable conditions for its further development and help channel global processes at work into the formation of a stable, just and democratic world order.

The new foreign policy doctrine gives greater emphasis to protecting the rights and interests of Russian citizens and Russians abroad and defending the rights of Russian businesses in foreign countries.

We have tried to make a more realistic assessment of the international situation and analyze the balance of positive and negative trends taking shape in the world today.

We are aware that because of a number of objective reasons, Russia has a limited resource base for its foreign policy, but we remain fully convinced that Russia still has sufficient grounds on which to build itself a dignified place in the world. To achieve this, it is essential that we continue to strengthen the Russian state, consolidate Russian society and enter a period of sustainable economic growth as soon as possible.

The new foreign policy doctrine makes it clear that Russia will follow an independent and constructive foreign policy which will firmly defend its own interests.

The foundation of our policy is consistence, predictability and a mutually advantageous spirit of pragmatism. Russia will continue to act as an immensely important stabilizing factor in international relations.