UNDP ANTI-CORRUPTION PROJECT BACKS DEVELOPMENT OF LAW ON LOBBYING
ArmenPress
Dec 17 2004
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 17, ARMENPRESS: Today, at the Congress Hotel in
Yerevan, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), in
cooperation with the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Trade
and Economic Development of Armenia, held a discussion of the draft
Concept of the Law on Lobbying of the Republic of Armenia.
Representatives of the Government, Parliament, local and
international organizations, trade unions and business associations,
as well as experts participated in the discussion, UNDP Country
Office in Armenia told Armenpress.
The aim of the discussion was to review the approaches and
suggestions on the draft concept of interested non-governmental
organizations (NGO) including those representing interests of the
private sector. At the event, The international experience of
regulating lobbying, ways, restrictions, financing and reporting of
lobbying, rights and responsibilities of lobbyists, licensing and
accreditation issues will be discussed. A special importance will be
attached to the suggestions on NGO lobbying.
Developing the regulatory framework for lobbying is the request of
the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) and the Anti-Corruption
Strategy adopted by the Government of Armenia. At the same time, it
is a key step towards providing equal and transparent opportunities
for civic participation in decision making and is called to foster
participatory processes in Armenia.
Vahan Asatryan, Coordinator, UNDP/Government Project on “Support
to Information Society and Democratic Governance”, noted in his
speech: “Within the United Nations System, UNDP plays an important
role of providing assistance for equal political, economic and social
opportunities. In this context UINDP supports the Government of
Armenia in developing legislation and implementing policies promoting
efficient participation of citizens in decision-making processes. Our
mission in Armenia is to help reducing political inequalities in the
country through promoting effective and broad civil society
participation in decision-making. We help the Government to establish
responsive participatory policy frameworks and to foster
consolidation of information society. We support establishing a civil
society anti-corruption network in the country and strengthen the
capacity of civil society to participate in anti-corruption
initiatives effectively.”
The UNDP support to the Government of Armenia and the Parliament
in developing a viable law on lobbying will continue in 2005.