MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
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PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext. 202
Fax: +37410. 565601
Email: [email protected]
Tigra n Balayan, Head of Press Division, Replies to a Question
by "Haykakan Zhamanak" Newspaper
QUESTION: A couple of days ago, US State Department published the annual
Country Reports on Terrorism, which includes some critical provisions on
Armenia. What is Armenia’s stance on this issue?
ANSWER: First, I would like to say that the criticism included in the report
is a concern for Armenia.
The anti-corruption struggle is a problem which needs continuous and
consistent work. As you know, a few years ago, a national anti-corruption
strategy has been elaborated and put into implementation, some provisions of
which are being revised.
One of the core topics President Sargsyan’s pre-electoral program was
anti-corruption struggle, thus, Armenia’s government is determined to
struggle against this vicious phenomenon.
We joined a number of international documents: the UN anti-corruption
convention (came into force on 7 April 2007), a number of documents in the
framework of Council of Europe, which are aimed at struggling with
corruption and controlling the process. Armenia will continue its
uncompromising struggle with corruption.
As to the issue of Armenia-Iran relations included in the report, Armenia
considers Iran a friendly country where a historically formed Diaspora
exists. Our relations with Iran, which are not targeted against any country,
are characterized by bilateral cooperation which, I believe, is natural for
neighboring countries. Armenia is willing to establish such kind of
relations with all its neighbors.