Russian president signed a decree on the establishment of the Russian Maritime Collegium, headed by former Secretary of the Security Council, assistant to the head of state Nikolai Patrushev. The document is published on the official portal of legal information.
According to the decree, the new body will feature a number of councils: for the strategic development of the Russian Navy, for the protection of Russia's national interests in the Arctic, and for the development and provision of maritime activities of the Russian Federation.
The document also abolishes the interdepartmental commission of the Security Council on ensuring the national interests of the Russian Federation in the Arctic, its functions have been transferred to the newly created body.
Among the tasks of the Collegium are strengthening the defense and security of the Russian Federation in the oceans, developing the Northern Sea Route as the national transport communication of the Russian Federation and ensuring guaranteed access to global transport communications for Russia, as well as preventing pollution of the marine environment and preserving its biological diversity.
The composition of the Maritime Collegium will consist of 52 people. Among them are the heads of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Education, the heads of the sea regions, the heads of the border service and the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, as well as the heads of the largest shipbuilding companies, TASS reports.
Alex Shishlo, Editor in Chief of the European Bureau, Rough&Polished
