We are confident that 2017 will be a turning point in the fight against corruption. H.E. Dr. Piotr Antoni Switalski, Ambassador, Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia said today during the meeting with the journalists. Today, the EU Delegation of the European Union to Armenia launched a communication campaign “Stop the Flow of Corruption” to raise awareness of the negative effects of corruption in support of the fight against corruption in Armenia.
“We believe that this year is a year of opportunity to make a decisive step forward. Why we believe this window of opportunity is there? Because we can count on a fusion of efforts of the major stakeholders determined to bring about the change. This fusion comes from the fact that the Government of Armenia, has put the fight against corruption very high on its agenda. It has adopted a number of legislative initiatives aimed to curb corruption,” Mr. Switalski said.
H.E. Dr. Piotr Antoni Switalski highlighted the activism and commitment of civil society organizations in the fight against corruption. It specifically applied to the Armenian Lawyers’ Association, which was directly involved in the creation of legislative packages and discussions about them.
“With the support and participation of the partners, the Government of the Republic of Armenia during the last 3-4 months can already present to the attention of the public clear steps and implemented measures as well as adopted legal acts,” Mr. Suren Krmoyan, the Deputy Minister of Justice said.
The Deputy Minister said that in addition to legislative initiatives new electronic programs, which aimed at reducing administrative corruption, have been introduced as well. As a result of introduction of electronic systems the human contacts have reduced to minimum in the sphere of public services.
“The citizens shall soon feel the results of the great job done during the last months,” Mr. Karen Zadoyan said. “As for the fight against political corruption, which is a matter that jeopardize the national security, we have directed the criminalization of illicit enrichment against it.”
“We believe that introduction of corpus delicti of illicit enrichment is to support our authorities to catch the “big fish”. This is not the only procedure and mechanism we have recommended and which the government has implemented,” Mr. Karen Zadoyan, the President of Armenian Lawyers’ Association said.
Although there already exists and are being developed complete mechanisms for fight against corruption, the speakers stressed the importance of public activity in this work. “Authorities should establish partnership with the public in fight against corruption. If the society does not become a partner, it would be difficult to fight against corruption and achieve serious results.”
Dr. Piotr Switalski added: “For these efforts to be successful, we need the public support, we need the response, the feedback of the society.”
