In an interview to 1in.am Armenian News and Analyses online Varuzhan Hoktanyan, Executive Director of Transparency International Anticorruption Center noticed discontent with the political party, speaking about the consultation on June 29, 2013 in Presidents Office invited by President Serzh Sargsyan on efficient administration of budgetary funds, enhanced control over the state program currently underway and reducing risks of corruption.

The Presidents criticism more referred to certain political assessments voiced by Ishkhan Zakaryan, Chairman of Chamber of Control and others during discussions in RA National Assembly than the report itself published by the Chamber of Control. Varuzhan Hoktanyan thinks that the criticism was directed at two issues: first, in the Presidents opinion the Chamber of Control should be an audit agency, having to perform more auditory functions than it currently does, and the second - political statements used for its own - Chamber of Controls PR were needless.

"As far as I remember this is not the first time that President Sargsyan exposed some scandalous situations. However, I have an impression that every time he spoke about scandalous situations no solutions punishments, serious conclusions followed or no constructive steps were taken to set them right. Besides, it was of concern and incomprehensible to say that plunder was worth 300 million AMD, calling the remaining instances of embezzlement just tales. It means that one should not only study that trivial part, but the whole amount worth 700 billion AMD. One should try to understand which part of corruption risks really existed and which part did not," said Varuzhan Hoktanyan. Chamber of Control Chairmans statement with regard to 70 percent of state budget - 701 billion AMD being at threat, was regarded as wrong and unoptimistic. President Sargsyan mentioned considering the case that Chamber of Control Chairman should address the citizens in a couple of days and say that there were suspicions of plundering 200 or 300 million AMD. All the rest were tales."

In the opinion of Varuzhan Hoktanyan it reflected certain domestic discontent in the run-up to the next presidential elections. Taking into account Serzh Sargsyans words that there were political party-related problems one may assume that there were problems inside the political party itself though high-ranking party members considered them normal discussions. Serzh Sargsyan was aware what was going on. He simply wanted to say, "I know what you are doing, but dont do such a thing."

"Constructive measures must be taken. It should be stated what ought to be done in order to exclude corruption manifestations in the country," said Varuzhan Hoktanyan.

As a reminder, President Serzh Sargsyan issued a severe reprimand to Ishkhan Zakaryan, Chairman of Chamber of Control on June 29, 2013. The President directly and indirectly accused him of being engaged in his personal PR from various pulpits. He was also accused of voicing political assessments, which was not his function, and turning the Chamber of Control, one of the most serious government funded state bodies to a simple inspection body.