Transparency International Anticorruption Center (hereinafter TIAC) and Eurasia Partnership Foundation (hereinafter EPF) have carried out joint research on conflict of interest in public institutions of the Republic of Armenia. Funded by the European Union, the project is conducted within the framework of “Engaging civil society in monitoring conflict of interest policies in EaP countries” project in four countries (Moldova, Armenia, Poland, and Ukraine) by six partner organizations (Transparency International - Moldova, Stefan Batory Foundation (Poland), Ukrainian Institute for Public Policy and Transparency International - Ukraine, Transparency International Anticorruption Center (Armenia) and Eurasia Partnership Foundation (Armenia).

Four key methods were applied in conducting the research - analysis of legal framework regulating conflict of interests’ policy in the Republic of Armenia (TIAC); opinion poll of civil servants (EPF); opinion poll of public institutions (TIAC); focus group discussions (EPF).

The analysis of the legal framework revealed the shortcomings of notion of “conflict of interest,” the ambiguities and gaps in preventive and regulatory norms of the conflict of interest situation, the absence of oversight and responsibility mechanisms, the limited framework of people subject to conflict of interest regulation, differential ethics and conflict of interest legal frameworks for different officials, functions of the ethics commissions that are not common and their limited authorities, etc.

The result of opinion poll of 134 civil servants from 7 public institutions exposed that only 56% of the respondents perceive the notion of conflict of interest correctly. Whereas 61% of the respondents think that one may take part in decision making process while being in conflict of interest situation. The majority of them was unaware whether or not there was an agency in respective public institution responsible for conflict of interest or codes of ethics or think that there was no such institution. Only 24 % of the respondents reported that they had participated in any seminar on conflict of interest.

The analysis of the poll responses of 26 public institutions (ministries, state institutions under the Government, Prosecutor General’s office) showed deficiencies regarding setting up ethics commissions in those bodies, their non-effectiveness, absence of service and public awareness events on conflict of interests, shortcomings of regulations on accepting gifts, etc.

As a matter of fact, focus group discussion with the representatives of public institutions certified of the shortcomings in conflict of interest legislation and non-effectiveness of the respective institutions, revealed as a result of legal study and public polls.

As the first research regarding the mentioned subject, aims to focus the public on instances of conflict of interest occurrences and promote to the formulation of public demand in order to ensure systemic and institutional solution to the problem.

The report is available on EPF and TIAC official websites.

For additional inquiries see

Press contacts:
Arthur Avtandilyan
Transparency International Anticorruption Center
E: [email protected]
T: 374 10 56 99 10, 55 30 69

Mikayel Hovhannisyan
Eurasia Partnership Foundation
E: [email protected]
T: 374 10 25 15 75

Monitoring of Conflict of Interests in Public Institutions