MOSCOW, December 29 (RIA Novosti) - Russia has enhanced border security in the turbulent North Caucasus, the country's security chief Nikolai Patrushev told President Vladimir Putin on Saturday.

Putin said earlier that to prepare itself for a visa-free regime with the European Union, Russia must ensure the security of its external borders, and guarantee European partners that the country is secure from outside terrorist and criminal elements.

Putin previously described the North Caucasus as "the most dangerous" region that posed the highest threat to the country.

Patrushev said around 20 billion rubles ($815 million) had been spent on building 112 border security facilities under a federal border security program for 2003-2010.

"Everything has been accomplished... Your instructions have been fulfilled," Patrushev told the president.

Putin signed a decree on setting up a federal agency dedicated to securing Russia's borders in October 2007. The agency will manage checkpoints and handle the construction and modernization of all border security facilities.