Security-Cooperation Dilemma in Post-Soviet Border Policies

The paper categorizes the ways in which post-Soviet states try to solve the dilemma of maintaining border security but also promoting cross-border communication in their border policies. For the purpose of such categorization, the author uses several classifications that address a range of border policies from strict and unilateral to liberal and cooperative. The paper argues that in the vast majority of cases, unstable and complicated relations along with low levels of trust in the integrity of a neighboring country’s border, immigration, and customs control preclude an integrated border policy among post-Soviet states. The author also suggests that post-Soviet states should make much more effort towards the development of intensive and efficient cross-border law enforcement cooperation, supporting a unilateral and joint struggle against border related corruption. Specifically, these countries should provide far more opportunities to law-abiding border crossers to be heard and to defend their interests.

Authors: Serghei Golunov
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