Tatoul Manaseryan: US ambassador's statements on corruption in Armenia call for efficient fight against corruption

It's time to switch from words to deeds and to launch an efficient fight against corruption, economist Tatoul Manaseryan, head of the Alternative Research Center, says when commenting on US Ambassador to Armenia Richard Mills' remarks that corruption sets back economic growth.

Manaseryan thinks that in its bilateral relations with the United States and other countries, Armenia should work to enhance its image through an efficient fight against corruption. "Corruption is not a new phenomenon for Armenia. Neither is the US attitude to it - the corruption in Armenia is pointed out in the annual reports of the US Department of State," he says. Manaseryan advocates tougher and more effective measures and points out the example of Georgia, where "the situation was absurd but even there effective results were achieved within 2 or 3 years. So, I think our state also has enough resources to overcome the current situation. If there is a wish, there is a will," says Manaseryan.   

To note, in an interview with the RFE/RL Armenian Service (Azatutyun), US Ambassador to Armenia Richard Mills said that corruption sets back economic growth, hurts human rights development, and undermines democracy. He thinks corruption "even undermines the national security" because outside forces can control the development of the country. The question is whether the government has tools and a political will, but there is a civil society that can help the government to fight it, he said. "If we cannot address this large issue of corruption, which I understand is a serious issue - I know it affects so much of Armenia's daily life - it will affect a large part of our relationship in specific areas, for instance, investment.  I am very committed to growing the commercial ties, the investment ties between Armenia and the United States. I think that now is the time to focus on it. But to attract US investment, investors need to know the climate, where everyone is treated the same, where there is no unfair competition, where government services are equally available to everyone," Ambassador Mills said in his interview. "And if we don't see the Anti-Corruption Council address those things, I think it will hurt the opportunities for investment," he noted. "My message to anyone who has an issue of corruption is find the way to highlight it, don't be afraid to speak up, I do believe there are tools at your disposal within the government to address it, to find someone who will help you address it," he said.