In a new report the Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) calls on Armenia to pursue its efforts to prevent corruption in respect of persons with top executive functions and the police (see the non-official translation in Armenian).
GRECO notes the positive steps taken following the 2018 “Velvet Revolution” to boost the fight against corruption, including the setting up of a specialised institutional framework. GRECO also acknowledges the comprehensive financial disclosure system in place. An Anti-Corruption Strategy and Action Plan have recently been issued for the period 2023-2026. Although they envisage some promising developments, these plans will need to be effectively implemented.
Armenia needs a stronger system of accountability in government to prevent risks of undue influence, GRECO notes. Several large-scale investigations are on-going to prosecute high-level corruption cases and kleptocratic networks connected to previous regimes, but there have been no convictions to date. Post-employment provisions are weak in scope, as well as in monitoring and enforcement. GRECO also notes that more needs to be done to improve access to information and public…
