Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan received U.S. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Armenia Richard Mills. The meeting was attended by USAID Armenia Office Director Deborah Grieser. The meeting focused on the Government’s anti-corruption policy and the joint efforts in the fight against corruption.
Evoking the legislative reforms and government decisions implemented to date, the activities carried out as part of the fight against corruption, as well as the planned activities, Karen Karapetyan gave details of a number of draft laws aimed at improving the effectiveness of anticorruption actions and mechanisms, introducing new procedures, which may help reduce corruption risks in all areas.
“In terms of achieving consistency in the fight against corruption, I believe it crucial to ensure the public’s proactive civil position, provide a stronger Government-society feedback and build on constructive cooperation with partner organizations. I would like to emphasize once again that my government is open to discussion and proposals,” Karen Karapetyan said.
Pleased with the steps taken by the Government in the fight against corruption, the U.S. Ambassador welcomed the Prime Minister’s public statements and actions in this regard. Noting that there is still much to be done in this field, Richard Mills said his country’s authorities ready to support the Government’s anticorruption effort through their own resources.
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“You may rest assured of the United States’ commitment to supporting Armenia’s anticorruption program. We are prepared to work with all those State structures firmly determined to combat corruption,” the Ambassador pointed out.
At Richard Mills’ request, Karen Karapetyan briefed the Ambassador on the goals and targets set before the independent preventive anticorruption body to be established under the Senior Officials’ Ethics Committee.
In this context, the interlocutors dwelt on the criminalization of illicit enrichment, enhancing the quality in investigation of corruption crimes, as well as other issues related to legislative initiatives.
Karen Karapetyan and Richard Mills took the opportunity to exchange views on U.S.-Armenia economic cooperation priorities.