Epress.am News from Armenia
As a result of implementing the government’s anti-corruption strategy, there was a 5% decrease in the risk of corruption in Armenia in 2010 as compared to 2008, expert Armen Khudaverdyan informed the press today.
Khudaverdyan mentioned that the 2011 figures are still being compiled and will be made public at the start of next year, according to a Government of Armenia statement.
“Incidents of corruption dropped mainly in the healthcare, state police and tax service sectors, where there were always sizable recorded incidents of corruption,” he said.
The expert noted that in the first half of 2011, the number of cases of corruption uncovered doubled (by 86) as compared to the same period in 2010.
According to Yeghishe Kirakosyan, assistant to the prime minister, an institutional base has been created which is implementing the state’s strategy of anti-corruption policies. Stressing the importance of the work of corruption prevention, Kirakosyan stated that, in this context, the Law on Public Service that will be put into effect beginning next year will have great significance. A high-ranking officials ethics commission is expected to be established, with which high-ranking officials’ property and revenues will be declared and made available to the public.