Republican Party of Armenia advises US ambassador to carry out his diplomatic mission rather than investment projects

The US Ambassador to Armenia Richard Mills had better carry out his direct obligations, i.e. his diplomatic mission, rather than investment projects, Vahram Baghdasaryan, Head of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) Faction, has told ArmInfo when commenting on the US diplomat's criticism against corruption in Armenia, which sets backs economic growth.        

"The key mission of the US ambassador is to do a diplomatic job, but if he has decided to implement various investment projects, I think he does not cope with that function very well. However, I am an optimist and I think that after all the US ambassador's hope about the investment climate in Armenia will be justified, because the Armenian Government is taking active efforts to that end," the MP says.   

To note, in an interview with the RFE/RL Armenian Service (Azatutyun), US Ambassador to Armenia Richard Mills said that corruption sets back economic growth, hurts human rights development, and undermines democracy. He thinks corruption "even undermines the national security" because outside forces can control the development of the country. The question is whether the government has tools and a political will, but there is a civil society that can help the government to fight it, he said. "If we cannot address this large issue of corruption, which I understand is a serious issue - I know it affects so much of Armenia's daily life - it will affect a large part of our relationship in specific areas, for instance, investment. I am very committed to growing the commercial ties, the investment ties between Armenia and the United States. I think that now is the time to focus on it. But to attract US investment, investors need to know the climate, where everyone is treated the same, where there is no unfair competition, where government services are equally available to everyone," Ambassador Mills said in his interview. 

"And if we don't see the Anti-Corruption Council address those things, I think it will hurt the opportunities for investment," he noted. "My message to anyone who has an issue of corruption is find the way to highlight it, don't be afraid to speak up, I do believe there are tools at your disposal within the government to address it, to find someone who will help you address it," he said.