BRUSSELS, Dec 9 (Saba) -- The President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek called here today for stepping up the fight against corruption in Europe after an international survey showed that a majority of Europeans think corruption has increased in Europe, according to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).

"The figures and the perceptions of Europeans on corruption are not encouraging. According to the latest report by Transparency International, 73% of Europeans perceive an increase in corruption in Europe in the last three years. This is a worrying trend,< said Buzek in a statement to markj the international day against corruption. "The fight against corruption and the fight against organised crime go hand in hand. This fight must be a European one as crime and corruption know no borders, stressed Buzek.

Most importantly, he said, corruption makes people lose faith in the role of the state and in the rule of law. "It is of the utmost importance that in this period of economic difficulties we do not lower our guard against corruption. The economic, social and even environmental costs of an increase in corruption would be difficult to face," he warned. The survey includes Afghanistan, Nigeria, Iraq and India in the most corrupt category, followed by China, Russia and, many countries of the Middle East.

Saba