The Process of Preventing Corruption is Entering a New Phase․ "The Integrity of Armenia" Program Has Been Launched

15.09.2021


 On September 15, anti-corruption education programs in recent years and upcoming activities were discussed, during the workshop held with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (hereinafter USAID) and entitled "Armenia's Anti-Corruption Policy Priorities" on the occasion of the International Day of Democracy Along with it, the launch of " The Integrity in Armenia" program was announced.

CPC Chairwoman Haykuhi Harutyunyan, RA Deputy Minister of Justice Suren Grigoryan, U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Lynne M. Tracy, USAID Mission Director in Armenia John Allelo made speeches at the opening of the workshop.

In her speech, Haykuhi Harutyunyan especially emphasized the role of a citizen with democratic values in the process of preventing corruption, noting that the biggest obstacle to the establishment of a democratic state is corruption.

"I am convinced that there is no alternative to democracy in our state, the joint efforts of all of us continue to serve the establishment of a real democratic state, where human is the highest value, and the only task of the state is to ensure the dignified life of a human, a citizen in all spheres," said Haykuhi Harutyunyan and added that the Commission, as a preventive body, does not have the task of managing the citizen's behavior under the threat of fear or punishment, but to create a responsible, demanding and well-behaved citizen.

RA Deputy Minister of Justice Suren Grigoryan, within the framework of anti-corruption policy priorities, referred to the RA anti-corruption strategy for 2019-2022. "The development of the anti-corruption institutional system as the main priority is outlined and, in this regard, the legislative package aimed at establishing an Anti-Corruption Committee was adopted by the National Assembly, the chairman of the committee will be appointed in the near future and also the process of forming this structure will begin afterwards," said Suren Grigoryan.

US Ambassador to Armenia Lynn Tracey praises RA Government's willingness to eradicate corruption and noted that the Integrity program, as USAID Primary Anti-Corruption Initiative, will contribute to both the CPC of Armenia and the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia to strengthen the integrity of a public servant in the public administration system.

The official opening of the conference was followed by a roundtable discussion, where the educational programs implemented in recent years by higher education institutions, local and international organizations in the field of corruption prevention and their peculiarities were presented, as well as some further actions were outlined.