"International developments have reaffirmed the importance of preserving international legal norms and reinforcing the role of institutions of global security, primarily the United Nations, to ensure strategic stability," Putin was quoted by the Interfax news agency as saying.

"The latest events demonstrated that the universal rules that were worked out over the centuries need constant adjustment and careful improvement to meet the changing contemporary world," he said when receiving credentials from ambassadors.

Putin expressed Russia's readiness to broaden cooperation with the international community in forming "a truly democratic world order".

"Since the contemporary world is interconnected and interdependent, a country or a region cannot distance itself from the common problems facing the international community," he said, noting that the problems include international terrorism and financial and economic crises.

"These aggravated challenges can only be overcome through the consolidated efforts of the global community," he added.

(Xinhua News Agency April 17, 2003)