In his talk to Tert.am Varuzhan Hoktanyan, Executive Director of Transparency International Anticorruption Center positively assessed the concept of anticorruption in public governance system, approved by RA Government decision. However he mentioned what counts was its implementation. He noted that unless proper measures were taken to implement what was written on the paper everything would be meaningless.

“Actually there is such a risk. There were many documents and concepts that remained on paper. As an anticorruption organization we were supposed to take part in the drafting work, hence we accepted the invitation. Should the draft not be implemented in future, we would share the responsibility,” he said.

It should be mentioned that the draft concept was developed by a working group established within the framework of Anti-Corruption Strategy Implementation Monitoring Commission. The working group comprised representatives of RA Government, other state bodies, experts, as well as representatives of Transparency International Anticorruption Center.

In reply to the question what key issues should be considered by the group commissioned to draft the anticorruption strategy Varuzhan Hoktanyan said, “First of all the goals and objectives of the strategy should be clearly defined. Public participation in the development of the strategy should not be imitative. We also attach importance to viable monitoring system, i.e. creation of institutional structures. We should constantly focus on the presence of these three components.”

According to RA government decision the draft anticorruption strategy, developed in participation by civil society organizations should be sent to the Anticorruption Council for consideration till July 15, 2014. Priority spheres for the government’s anticorruption program will be education, public health, collection of state revenues, police with regard to their public service provision to the citizens.