PRINCIPLES OF FRONTIER POLICY
A. N. Shakov
The formation of Russia as a sovereign state and, as such, an independent subject of world policy,
has made matters of its frontiers, its frontier regime and its frontier safety extremely important. The
dissolution of USSR made twenty four subjects of the Federation frontier states for the first time. At
the same time, five out of ten frontier regions (okrugs) were beyond Russia. The size of frontier
forces was halved, with more than fifty per cent of staff resigning, and leaving half of the frontier
posts without commanding officers. The situation required immediate legal definition and an
establishment of frontier policy for the new state. The first step on this road was the law of April 1,
1993 “About the State Frontiers of the RF”. Three years later, on October 5, 1996, the President
issued an edict on “The Principles of Frontier Policy of the Russian Federation”.
Being a constituent part of the Concept of National Security of Russia, they represent a system of
officially adopted views on the aims, tasks, principles, major trends and mechanisms of
effectuating the frontier policy of the Russian Federation, and are as important for the frontier
service as the Military Doctrine for the Armed Forces.
According to A. I. Nikolaev, former FFS Director, the fact this document had no analogues in the
world has played an extremely important role in the forming of a new character of frontier service,
in defining its role and its place in the state’s strategy. Adoption of the document has marked
completion of FFS transformation into a special state service. Besides, none of the military
organization’s components has achieved such an adequate and effective reforming formula as that
of the frontier service of the state.
Of no less importance is the fact that “The Basics” has clearly declared to the state and to the
world the aims, tasks, principles, and major trends of the frontier policy of the Russian Federation.
According to the document, frontier policy is formed on the basis of the Constitution, of laws and
other legislative documents of the Russian Federation, of generally accepted norms and principles
of the international law. It is effectuated through purposeful and coordinated activity of the federal
bodies of the state power, the state power bodies of the subjects of the Russian Federation, local
self governing bodies, public amalgamations, organizations and citizens according to their rights
and authorities within this sphere. The role of coordinator of the multifaceted activity of the
eighteen departments is assigned to the Russian Federation Frontier Service, which has obtained
a political status thereby.
“The Basics” has defined the procedures and rules for effectuation of economic and other activities
within the frontier area of the Russian Federation, political, legal, organizational, and other
conditions for realization of reliable defence of the state frontier of the Russian Federation.
Recognizing its importance for FFS activity, nevertheless, it must be established that the document
treats frontier security as a part of the Basics of frontier policy when the same is a part of a more
extensive sphere – the national security policy. The basics principles and requirements gathered
from the previous five years’ experience are specified and developed in the Federal law “About
Frontier Service of the Russian Federation”. It is now possible and necessary to make the next
step – to develop and approve the Concept of the frontier policy.