On the initiative of Transparency International Anticorruption Center a working discussion was held on March 12, 2019.

The discussion brought together Lena Nazaryan, Vice President of RA National Assembly, members of parliament, representatives of RA Government and law enforcement bodies, NGOs and independent experts. Valts Kalnins and Rouslan Riaboshapka, visiting experts of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Anticorruption Network (ACN) delivered keynote addresses.

During the working discussion on models of anticorruption agencies international experts presented the main principles and problems of the establishment of anticorruption agencies, the analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the key anticorruption agencies, potential risks and the experience of a number of countries having different agencies.

The international experts are assured that the effectiveness of the fight against corruption in different countries and success stories are not based on the selection of the institutional model (universal/multi-purpose or special/decentralized) but rather depend on a number of functions of political, economic, social and legal functions. In the opinion of experts, it is preferable to avoid additional risks while selecting models of anticorruption agencies, and it is necessary that the already existing bases and experience be considered. Independence, leadership, specialization, sufficient financing, as well as transparency and oversight of anticorruption agencies are necessary conditions for ensuring the effectiveness.

In this context, the international experts also noted that by comparison of the strengths and weaknesses of the universal and special models one may conclude that there are more risks regarding effectiveness in case of selecting the first model, and on the other hand fully universal models are rarely encountered. Sometimes some functions are separated from the anticorruption agencies considered universal and are carried out by other agencies. OECD experts also informed their Armenian partners that the application of special models of anticorruption agencies is more widespread in the European countries of democratic governance.

It should be reminded that the OECD experts visited Armenia on the invitation of TIAC within the framework of USAID funded “Engaged Citizenry for Responsible Governance” project.