Corruption problem for border control

Corruption and graft are a problem in European border control, according to Ilkka Laitinen, head of Frontex, the European agency for the management of operational cooperation at the external borders of the member states of the European Union. Mr Laitinen said Wednesday the matter would be tackled both within the EU and in collaboration with third countries.

«Everybody knows where it is going on; the spots where you get faster over the border if you place a ten-dollar bill between your passport,» Mr Laitinen said.

Eradicating corruption is one reason why the agency wants to gradually build up confidential relations with its partner countries outside of the EU. Corruption must be confronted also within Europe. Border guards make significant decisions when deciding who can come in and who cannot, Mr Laitinen added.

Therefore, the EU follows the developments closely.

Mr Laitinen does not consider the problem serious. Bribes pass hands where money and goods abound.

One of the important new partners is Russia, who is currently transferring border control resources from its western border to the southern one.

«The reform means more than just dropping staff numbers. The procedure will resemble more that of western countries. It involves more patrolling and a staff of ordinary soldiers will be replaced with professionals. They come up with results a whole lot better than soldiers patrolling with their mouths open, only doing what they’re told,» Mr Laitinen said.

In Central Asia, more efficient border control may help monitor drug smuggling and illegal immigration.

«I have understood that the Finnish Frontier Guard is not overly worried about the [Russian] reform,» he added.

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