Anti-corruption in public service: problems of customs authorities

Abstract

The article is devoted to the analysis of the system of anti-corruption measures in the customs authorities as a specific segment of the public service. The analysis was carried out taking into account international and European approaches to the anti-corruption strategy by examining the legal framework and organizational means to counteract this phenomenon. The purpose of the article is a legal analysis of international standards for combating corruption in the public service, highlighting the main approaches to overcoming it in the customs authorities and formulating proposals for improving anti-corruption practices. Methods. To write the article, a comparative method was used (to systematize information about legal acts on combating corruption in different countries); dialectical (to understand the relationship of the basic); structural and functional (for comparison of foreign experience); analysis and synthesis (to highlight the criteria for the virtue of public service); generalization method (to form the conclusions of the analysis). Results. The prospect of Ukraine’s accession to the European Union requires the accelerated introduction of international standards in the practice of public administration and public service, including in the customs authorities. Both the phenomenon of corruption and the problems of combating it are transnational in nature, requiring the combined efforts of not only numerous national specialized organizations, but also global international institutions that carry out relevant work in this area. In addition to the United Nations and the European Union, these organizations include: the Council of Europe, the World Customs Organization, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Transparency International, the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO), divisions of the World Bank, the World Trade Organization and a number of regional associations. The result of the concerted efforts of these organizations was the formation of a system of legal acts aimed at organizing international cooperation in the fight against corruption. Manifestations of corruption in the bodies of the State Customs Service have a negative impact on the level of receipt of funds to the state budget, the efficiency of the customs authorities, their rating, relations with foreign economic activity entities and citizens. The organizational measures taken in the department are insufficient, and the results so far do not meet expectations. Conclusions. The main principles of customs ethics are based on the recommendations of the WCO, focused on the implementation of the rule of law, improving the quality of customs services, professionalism and moral qualities of personnel. The formation and control of the virtue of the behavior of officials is a priority activity of the customs administrations of European countries. The introduction of international standards of moral behavior is an integral part of the modernization of the activities of customs authorities. The search for balanced levers of influence on the behavior of customs officials remains relevant.