CSO-LGB Forum titled “Introduction of the Corruption Prevention Toolset in Local Government Bodies: International Experience and Future Steps” organised jointly in the scope of the EU funded “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” project by the Armenian Lawyers’ Association, Ministry of Justice, the Municipality of Echmiadzin City, and the Union of Communities of Armenia was held on 24 July in Echmiadzin Municipality.
“Currently, the RA anti-corruption strategy and action plan is being elaborated, where we have the option to introduce anti-corruption strategies and action plans in cities with a population of 15 thousand and more. This is the first meeting among the series of discussions, and it is very important that discussions are held in a community where we have post-revolutionary developments,” Mr. Karen Zadoyan, President of the Armenian Lawyers’ Association, “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” Project Manager said in his welcoming speech.
Ms Anna Vardapetyan, a Deputy Minister of Justice of the Republic of Armenia, highlighted the event mentioning that the most important stage of strategy development is its application and elimination of corruption thinking. “At this stage when we talk about the introduction of a new strategy, I am happy to repeat that the new strategy has been completely developed in cooperation with the representatives of civil society organisations and has become a solid document. I am glad that local self-government bodies are integrated into the process, as the local self-government bodies are the frontline and the cornerstone of the contact with the citizens,” the Deputy Minister said.
“When we talk about corruption, we often talk about perceptions and the Armenian reality is that in all these years we have treated the local authorities as the last culprit. This is also the result of certain political motives when there is always a debate between the central authorities and local authorities on granting powers or not, formally authorizing the authority of the central authorities to justify those risks,” Mr. Emin Yeritsyan, President of the Union of Communities of Armenia said and added that the local self-government bodies should play a greater role in this area.
Ms Diana Gasparyan, Mayor of Echmiadzin City mentioned that when she received a proposal to organise such event in Echmiadzin, she gladly agreed that exclusion of corruption is one of the most important commitments of the state, which should be implemented with honour at all levels. “In relation to our community, I can assert that so far, our observations show that the existence of the political will is one the most important components in preventing theft and fighting corruption; I would say the most important, which allows to register success in this area,” the Mayor of Echmiadzin said.
Mr. Artyom Mesropyan, Justice and Related Sectors Coordinator/Lawyer of the “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” project spoke about the possibilities of implementing corruption strategies and events in the local self-governance bodies. Mr. Marat Atovmyan, Member of the Group of Independent Experts of the European Charter for Local Self-Government spoke about the Council of Europe mechanisms for the prevention and ethics of corruption at local and regional level. Mr. Narek Yenokyan, CCD Project Expert/Lawyer presented the international experience of combating corruption in local self-governments.
Notably in addition to the representatives of Echmiadzin City, members of the Council of Elders of Yerevan as well as heads of about 20 communities of Armenia participated in the event.
In addition, the proposals and opinions voiced during the discussion will be submitted to the Ministry of Justice as a package of proposals.
