Wednesday, June 29 2016 15:03

A Yerevan-based newspaper "Zhoghvurd" ("People") has interviewed U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Richard Mills to find out what the diplomat thinks about the Armenian Government's steps to combat corruption.

In response, the diplomat said corruption is a threat to the national security, as it hampers economic growth, impedes the development of human rights and democracy in the country. He brought several types of corruption, including the corruption in the state procurement system and the retail corruption that affects ordinary citizens.  Fighting corruption is not just a point in the list of contemplated actions that can be marked as done, the ambassador said.  

The ambassador recalled that during the month passed, the Government of Armenia repeatedly made statements against corruption and unfair business competition.  The statements were tougher with every time, Mills said expressing hope that the Government will implement its anti-corruption measures. The ambassador said the U.S. Embassy will support the government's efforts in the field.  The diplomat recalled that earlier the Embassy worked with the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and helped it remove the data of the deceased people from the pension lists and to digitize the database. The ministry saved financial resources and could increase the pensions. The ambassador called it an exemplary cooperation and expressed hope for more such steps to implement the government's ambitious anti-corruption plans.  

On May 12, Armenian Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan spoke of the fight against corruption, obliging the law- enforcement departments engaged in the field to make regular reports on the process. In case of no progress, the human resources policy will be revised. He said the persons holding state positions and their relatives must not be allowed to participate in the state procurement and the program must be implemented on the government funds. He said all these measures are impossible unless there is sustainable and long-term economic growth that will allow creating new jobs and reducing social tension.  The prime minister admitted that the government was not consistent enough in fighting monopolies. On February 12, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan also said that it is time to change a lot of things.   Meanwhile, many partners of Armenia, including the EU and the US, have already stated that they are going to provide no financial assistance for combating corruption until they see specific and tangible results.