NEWLY-OPENED ANTI-CORRUPTION INFORMATION CENTER IN YEREVAN TO INVOLVE
PUBLIC IN STRUGGLE AGAINST CORRUPTION
YEREVAN, July 30 (Noyan Tapan). An Anti-Corruption Information Center
has been opened in Yerevan upon the initiative of the Armenia branch
of the “Transparency International” organization of the Center for
Regional Development and with the financial assistance of the Swiss
Agency for Development and Cooperation. The opening ceremony on July
30 was attended by ambassadors, representatives of the Armenian
government, public and political organizations.
According to the President of the Armenian branch of “Transparency
International” Amalia Kostanian, the Center’s goal is to raise public
awareness about the need to struggle against corruption and involve
the public in the struggle. The center is provided with a constantly
updated database and has about 900 names of materials related to the
field. Within the framework of the Center’s activities, it is planned
to organize anti-corruption campaigns, discussions, educational and
re-training programs. Armenian Justice Minister David Haroutiunian,
who was attending the opening ceremony, said that over recent years
the country’s government has made sufficient steps towards combating
corruption and the crucial moment when the public at large too must
show more activity has become mature.
He emphasized that the anti-corruption struggle launched by the
government cannot be successful without public support that will first
of all promote greater transparency in government activities. The
Armenian branch of “Transparency International” has also instituted a
special prize for exclusive contribution to the anti-corruption
movement in Armenia. The first prize for 2003 was handed to the Head
of the OSCE Yerevan Office, Ambassador Roy Reeve.