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PM SARGSYAN IN BRUSSELS: "WE MUST START TO FIGHT CORRUPTION AT THE VERY TOP"
hetq
14:03, June 6, 2012
What follows are excerpts of an interview given by Armenian Primer
Minister Tigran Sargsyan following his recent speech at the Centre
for European Policy Studies (CEPS) think-tank in Brussels.
Mr. Prime Minister, what are the unique features of the anti-corruption
campaign now taking place in Armenia? Why are they so vital today?
We have adopted a very clear strategy. We must target those important
goals that will result in the success of the anti-corruption campaign.
We are not so much concerned with the number of measures to be taken
but rather their effectiveness. We must begin the campaign at the
very top.
We have targeted 500 high-ranking officials, and if they work in a
transparent manner that is publicly monitored and if their incomes are
scrutinized, it will drastically reduce corruption risks. In addition,
this will decrease the desire of entrepreneurs to seek appointment
to these 500 positions.
It was with the backing of the RA President that we were able to
push this bill through the parliament. This year, for the first time,
an ethics committee has been established tasked with monitoring the
income disclosure statements of these government officials.
Today, all 131 members of parliament, judges and prosecutors must
report their revenues and assets. The committee must respond in all
cases where the public sees that these reports do not correspond
to reality.
It is to be noted that these disclosure reports are made available to
the public on-line. By doing this, we have placed a straight jacket
on these officials. It is my conviction that the best manner to fight
corruption is through securing transparency.
Mr. Prime Minister, the successful attempt of Georgia to fight
corruption is evident to all. Why isn't it being applied in Armenia?
It's simple. The revolutionary road leading to change isn't acceptable
in Armenia. We are taking the evolutionary path towards change. It will
take longer but will guarantee stability. This is of supreme importance
to us, taking into account the relations we have with our neighbours.
When we conduct reforms, we always appraise our internal capabilities.
The geo-political situation fundamentally reduces our potential in
this respect. Thus, we have a more long-term strategy which is perhaps
more painful
What is the problem we face? We have a small stratum of the very rich
and a large layer of the poor. But it is the middle class that pushes
society forward and it is weak in today's Armenia.
Thus, our goal is to bring the very rich under supervision and make
their actions transparent and open, while at the same time creating
favourable conditions for small and medium business. We regard this
as the best strategy for eliminating poverty
What is the impact of the Armenian diaspora on the economy of Armenia?
We know about the huge amounts of money transfers going to Armenia.
What is the impact of these transfers?
Transfers have a vital significance for our country. There's an
interesting factor at play. While the population of Armenia is 3
million, there are some 6 million outside the country. Those sending
the transfers are the ones who left Armenia during the past twenty
years and not the 4-5 million who are the descendants of the 1915
Genocide survivors. It's a matter of old and new emigrants. 95%
of the old ones have never visited Armenia but they possess a great
potential that can spur our economy.
While they have never been to Armenia they live in the Armenian world
and have their churches, political parties, schools, etc.
We have crafted a new strategy to tap into that potential. At the
initiative of President Sargsyan, we have created a Ministry of the
Diaspora. This is a first. Through the ministry we are now carrying
out pan-Armenian programs. There are scores of pan-Armenian bodies
comprised of architects, lawyers, doctors and other professionals.
These bodies are busy conducting development projects in Armenia.
We have also established a National Competitiveness Council in whose
activities representatives of the private sector of the diaspora
participate. The Council is tasked with carrying out projects revealing
those sectors of the economy that have a competitive edge, in addition
to raising the overall level of competitiveness. It also seeks to
encourage investment in Armenia.
In general, we must work at improving the business environment in
Armenia so that investments are able to succeed and be profitable.
hetq
14:03, June 6, 2012
What follows are excerpts of an interview given by Armenian Primer
Minister Tigran Sargsyan following his recent speech at the Centre
for European Policy Studies (CEPS) think-tank in Brussels.
Mr. Prime Minister, what are the unique features of the anti-corruption
campaign now taking place in Armenia? Why are they so vital today?
We have adopted a very clear strategy. We must target those important
goals that will result in the success of the anti-corruption campaign.
We are not so much concerned with the number of measures to be taken
but rather their effectiveness. We must begin the campaign at the
very top.
We have targeted 500 high-ranking officials, and if they work in a
transparent manner that is publicly monitored and if their incomes are
scrutinized, it will drastically reduce corruption risks. In addition,
this will decrease the desire of entrepreneurs to seek appointment
to these 500 positions.
It was with the backing of the RA President that we were able to
push this bill through the parliament. This year, for the first time,
an ethics committee has been established tasked with monitoring the
income disclosure statements of these government officials.
Today, all 131 members of parliament, judges and prosecutors must
report their revenues and assets. The committee must respond in all
cases where the public sees that these reports do not correspond
to reality.
It is to be noted that these disclosure reports are made available to
the public on-line. By doing this, we have placed a straight jacket
on these officials. It is my conviction that the best manner to fight
corruption is through securing transparency.
Mr. Prime Minister, the successful attempt of Georgia to fight
corruption is evident to all. Why isn't it being applied in Armenia?
It's simple. The revolutionary road leading to change isn't acceptable
in Armenia. We are taking the evolutionary path towards change. It will
take longer but will guarantee stability. This is of supreme importance
to us, taking into account the relations we have with our neighbours.
When we conduct reforms, we always appraise our internal capabilities.
The geo-political situation fundamentally reduces our potential in
this respect. Thus, we have a more long-term strategy which is perhaps
more painful
What is the problem we face? We have a small stratum of the very rich
and a large layer of the poor. But it is the middle class that pushes
society forward and it is weak in today's Armenia.
Thus, our goal is to bring the very rich under supervision and make
their actions transparent and open, while at the same time creating
favourable conditions for small and medium business. We regard this
as the best strategy for eliminating poverty
What is the impact of the Armenian diaspora on the economy of Armenia?
We know about the huge amounts of money transfers going to Armenia.
What is the impact of these transfers?
Transfers have a vital significance for our country. There's an
interesting factor at play. While the population of Armenia is 3
million, there are some 6 million outside the country. Those sending
the transfers are the ones who left Armenia during the past twenty
years and not the 4-5 million who are the descendants of the 1915
Genocide survivors. It's a matter of old and new emigrants. 95%
of the old ones have never visited Armenia but they possess a great
potential that can spur our economy.
While they have never been to Armenia they live in the Armenian world
and have their churches, political parties, schools, etc.
We have crafted a new strategy to tap into that potential. At the
initiative of President Sargsyan, we have created a Ministry of the
Diaspora. This is a first. Through the ministry we are now carrying
out pan-Armenian programs. There are scores of pan-Armenian bodies
comprised of architects, lawyers, doctors and other professionals.
These bodies are busy conducting development projects in Armenia.
We have also established a National Competitiveness Council in whose
activities representatives of the private sector of the diaspora
participate. The Council is tasked with carrying out projects revealing
those sectors of the economy that have a competitive edge, in addition
to raising the overall level of competitiveness. It also seeks to
encourage investment in Armenia.
In general, we must work at improving the business environment in
Armenia so that investments are able to succeed and be profitable.