YEREVAN (ArmInfo)—The U.S. Embassy is ready to assist the Armenian government in the issue of fighting against corruption, U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Richard Mills stated during a press conference.
“Until now, everything I have heard from the government about fight against corruption inspires trust. I think that the Prime Minister reacts to this problem. Corruption should be eradicated as it hinders development of business and involvement of new investments. It also may become threat to national security. I think that the Prime Minister realizes this and is concerned over the issue,” the US diplomat stressed.
“In my opinion, investigative journalism plays a serious role in fight against corruption,” stated Mills.
On October 20, Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan presented the government program to the parliament. The program particularly envisages that the government intends to fight artificial monopolies and corruption.
Within 3 months the government intends to criminalize “unlawful enrichment” and in 6 months to introduce mechanisms guaranteeing execution of relevant laws. Within a six-month term, the government intends to develop an anti-corruption institutional system by revising the principles of forming the relevant council, increase accountability of anticorruption and law enforcement bodies, to increase number of those officials obliged to present declaration on incomes and property, to hold events aimed at regulating collision of interests and to set legal restrictions on cash deals. Within a year, the government also intends to develop legislation envisaging tougher punishment for crimes against state service.
