In an interview to 1in.am Varuzhan Hoktanyan, Executive Director of Transparency International Anticorruption Center (TIAC) addressed certain problems of procurement system that pose serious corruption risks. At first sight procurement of goods and services arises questions why so much money should be spent on them. No serious justifications or no justifications at all are provided. It is not excluded that they serve specific interests. The Armenian legislation has certain tools that may enable to expose corruption risks, reveal certain violations and punish, however, it requires political will and professionalism.

For instance, “Haykakan Zhamanak” published an article on booking expensive air tickets by a government official. If there is political will the situation should be carefully studied. Should violations be exposed, they would see if budget funds were wasted and if the air tickets could have been purchased in far cheaper price. The law enforcement bodies might not have the necessary know-how for the job to be able to expose such crimes or delinquency. Making such a lot of expenses in view of the country’s poverty is crime. Budget embezzlement should be excluded.

According to Varuzhan Hoktanyan everything starts with conducting normal elections. If normal elections are provided the public, will naturally not bear corruption at all and will vote against the corrupt regime. There are no grounds to assume that it is done without the knowledge and even participation of the superior body. In the beginning punishment should be inflicted. We must overcome atmosphere of impunity. This is not yet a country where the corrupt are unmasked, and even if they are, they might be unmasked for other reason.

Everything is correct on paper. The soldiers are fed well and dressed well, but in reality it is different. It shows that they do not possess state thinking. Those who are decision makers either deceived us or deceived themselves as well thinking that no war might be unleashed. They supposed that the ruling elite in Azerbaijan was as corrupt as they and the status quo would be preserved forever. We must not forget that Azerbaijan has such enormous incomes from oil industry that allows itself to have military budget increasing Armenia’s entire state budget.