On 22 October 2014, a Public Discussion with CSOs of Shirak region on the “Draft of the Republic of Armenia Anti-Corruption Strategy for 2014 – 2018” in the framework of the EU funded project “Multi-Faceted Anti-Corruption Promotion” implemented by AYLA.

Welcoming the participants International Aid/Cooperation Officer of the Delegation of the European Union to Armenia Mr. Alessandro Zanotta marked the importance of such public discussions and informing on his interest in this issue.

During the discussions, “Multi-Faceted Anti-Corruption Promotion” Project Manager Mr. Karen Zadoyan said that this document should pass through public discussions. “If as a result of these discussions it becomes possible to influence and change it through Civil Society, then we can state that the civil society in Armenia has certain leverage in the country, otherwise we can come to 2 conclusions: firstly that we don`t yet have serious leverages to influence the government project, and second – that public discussions might have an imitation character, the government won`t accept any of the suggestions and will just show that the document passed through public discussions with the civil society”, underlined Mr Zadoyan.

Secretary of the Working Group on the Anti-Corruption Strategy Mariam Galstyan stated that 4 target sectors have been selected in the framework of the RA Draft Anti-Corruption Strategy for 201402018: healthcare, education, taxing and policing. “Specifically in these 4 sectors activities should be undertaken, and if we achieve serious results here, then we`ll go forward and include other sectors as well”, said the Government representative.

National expert of the “Multi-Faceted Anti-Corruption Struggle” Program Mr. Marat Atovmyan presented the international experience in the anti-corruption struggle. Based on this experience he considered the importance of establishing a Beaureau on Corruption-Prevention and Anti-Corruption Struggle in Armenia. “It has to have analytical, monitoring and educational functions. Until we form anti-corruption mindset in the society, we won`t change anything”, said the speaker. He added that this body should be established and should function based on law and not by government decision. “As it is easier to change the government decision, than the law. The government might change and its decision might also be changed”, clarified Mr. Atovmyan.

The national expert of the “Multi-Faceted Anti-Corruption Struggle” also presented in detail the suggested structure of this system. “We suggest that the head of that body be appointed through a similar procedure as that of Ombudsman, and deputies be appointed by the head of other agency or by the RA President”. Mr Atovmyan also informed that there should be not 2, but 5 NGOs involved in this body.

Participants of today`s discussion also watched a short video on a dispute between a citizen and RA Medical and Social Examination Agency, which was solved in favor of the citizen. Participants underlined the inclusion of the social sector in the program, it was suggested to envisage the involvement of CSOs as institutions implementing the monitoring of the Strategy by providing respective financial means by the Government.

Iravaban.net