time; and second, the very high costs entailed in this kind of barrier (and its maintenance)
consume the available budget very quickly.
By way of illustration, the figure below shows for the period 2008-2013 that around 78% of the
available budget under the External Borders Fund was invested in the purchase of technical
equipment and new technology to strengthen Greece's borders. In contrast, training absorbed
less than 4%.
Figure 5. Distribution of Allocated Funds under EBF 2008-2013
The purchase of technical equipment and technology included:
Technical Equipment
Technology
Thermal cameras
Purchase of Hardware (Desktops,Laptops,Scanners)
Police Dogs
Upgrade of extant network systems
Night vision and long vision
goggles
Development of 2nd Generation Schengen Information
System
X-ray Vans, 4x4 vehicles, buses
Intrusion Detection and Prevention System
Patrol Boats
Radio-communication systems
We have provided below an indicative list of purchases that the Greek authorities planned under
the External Borders Fund, most of which were invested in the Greek-Turkish land border. 70
70
See Minister of Citizen Protection, Parliamentary Reply of 11 August 2011, available at
http://www.hellenicparliament.gr/UserFiles/67715b2c-ec81-4f0c-ad6a-476a34d732bd/7464755.pdf ; see also Minstry of
Citizen Protection, External Borders Fund Annual Programs 2011-2012, available at
http://www.astynomia.gr/index.php?option=ozo_content&perform=view&id=2231&Itemid=440 ;
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