The corruption perception index in Armenia has become 35 within 2017, compared to 33 in the previous year. However, according to Varuzhan Hoktanyan, head of TIAC programs, this does not mean that there is a reduction in corruption.
Let us note that in 2017 Armenia was in the 107th place among 180 countries with 35 points, in the previous year, it was 113 out of 176 countries with 33 points.
At the discussion entitled “Corruption Perception Index in 2017: Situation in Armenia” Mr. Hoktanyan clarified: “if the points of Armenia amounted to 37 or 39, then we could say that there was an improvement. Or if it went from 33 down o 29 we would say the situation has worsened, but not in case of 30. Studies show that if the index is below 50, corruption in that country is a serious problem. As a rule, corruption in these countries seriously impedes development”.
In response to the remark that once Mr. Hoktanyan said we were in a state of stagnation, whether the situation is the same now as well, he said: “Stagnation goes on”.
To answer the question whether what is the position of state officials in this matter, Mr. Hoktanyan said: “Our organization is a member of the Anti-Corruption Council. Issues are brought forward, the approach is that legislative steps are taken after the parliamentary elections last year: corruption prevention commission will be set up in April, but the problem here is in implementation. Failure to make a transition from laws to practice is a sign of lack of political will”.
On this occasion Varuzhan Hoktanyan brought an example of authoritarian Singapore and Hong Kong: “These authoritarian countries have a liberal economy. To achieve this liberalization, they understood that corruption should be reduced, otherwise they would face serious problems. If you have a liberal economy, as a rule, you have a democratic system. and Countries with the autonomous political system and liberal economy are anomalies. Will we become an anomaly? I do not think so: we are not Singapore”.
Tatev HARUTYUNYAN
