Friday, May 20 2016 11:56

It is necessary to establish an independent body for fighting against corruption and not a council under the government; Secretary of Orinats Yerkir Faction Mher Shahgeldyan expressed this opinion at today's briefing in parliament. 

At the same time he thinks that in order to exclude corruption it is necessary to liquidate monopolies and protectorate. He also thinks that reduction of official cars and job cuts in the state agencies cannot lead to significant results. "Effective steps are needed and only independent body can take such steps", he emphasized. 

In his turn Head of Armenian National Congress Faction Levon Zurabyan stated that all the steps taken by the ruling party aimed at fighting corruption and monopolies are imitation. In this context he noted that ANC had presented efficient program for fighting corruption and monopolies. "If they really want changes they should start with themselves and if this process is not an imitation in the nearest future ordinary citizens will notice 20-30% reduction of prices on largely consumed food products", he stated. Zurabyan also thinks that reduction of 800 official cars in the state agencies will lead to some saving but this is the least the authorities can do to raise the efficiency of funds management. Zurabyan also added that ANC will not participate in the discussions on fighting against corruption and bribes initiated by the prime minister. 
Head of ruling Republican Party faction Vahram Baghdasaryan assured that the prime minister's intentions are good and he as never before realizes the whole harm of corruption and monopolies. He also thinks that the government will be consistent in its anticorruption activities and no one will manage to avoid law.  Baghdasaryan did not exclude that the prime minister and the president will continue their harsh statements and meetings with representatives of business. 

Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan said addressing the Government on May 12 that the government will shift to a more saving regime, though the budget had been approved already. "We should curb that expenses where possible, for instance, transport costs of official trips, expenses on representation, spending on the service of official cars etc., " Abrahamyan said promising to launch weekly discussions with the public sector representatives to find specific solutions to the problems. "All the saved resources will be spent to settle prior problems," Abrahamyan said. The prime minister said the Government staff, the ministries, state non-commercial organizations, governmental agencies and departments will undergo staff cuts gradually, before launching discussions on the budget for 2017.  On February 12 President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan also made a statement related to corruption problem, in which he said that the time has come to change a lot of things. Meanwhile a lot of partners of Armenia, including the EU and USA have already stated that they do not intend to provide financial assistance for fighting corruption until they see certain tangible results.