OSCE Office opens public anti-corruption centre in Yerevan

YEREVAN, 16 April 2007 - Legal, procedural and practical consultations on potential corruption cases will be provided to citizens at a new public reception centre that opened in Yerevan today with OSCE support.

The Centre aims to minimize potential corruption risks and practices by raising public awareness on relevant legislation and procedures and educating citizens on their rights. Experts from the anti-corruption NGO Coalition will consult visitors on such topics as public health, education, army, traffic police, and consumers.

"It is a very good example of partnership between civil society, the authorities and the OSCE," said Ambassador Vladimir Pryakhin, the Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan. "We consider the involvement of civil society in the anti-corruption activity as the most important prerequisite for eradication of this evil in Armenia."

Greta Mirzoyan, the Head of the NGO Soldier's Mother, added: "A public reception centre is a well-tried institution, which exists in many countries and we are happy to see it now in Armenia. The Centre is also very much in accord with the Government's "one window" approach to assist citizens in getting adequate answer to their queries".

The Centre will offer a variety of publications, documents and materials, and serve as a resource centre for experts and visitors.

It will have a hotline - 531-688, which will register complaints and provide necessary information by phone.

The establishment of the Centre follows several successful pilot projects implemented in 2006 by members of the NGO Coalition.

Similar centres will open in Lori and Gegharkunik provinces in May.