OSCE Office in Yerevan launches publication to mark International Anti-Corruption Day in Armenia

YEREVAN, 9 December 2009 - A new publication on fighting corruption in Armenia, prepared jointly by the OSCE Office in Yerevan and Prosecutor General's Office, was presented at the sixth annual anti-corruption forum held in Yerevan today, on International Anti-Corruption Day. 

Representatives of the Armenian Government, civil society and the international community took part in forum, which aims to enhance awareness and co-operation to prevent and combat corruption.

The forum was organized by the USAID Mobalizing Action Aganst Corruption Activity in co-operation with the OSCE Office in Yerevan and the Prosecutor General's Office. The event included discussion of major anti-corruption efforts in Armenia, including the Anti-Corruption Strategy and Action Plan recently adopted by the Government, international co-operation and other activities in the field.

"Fighting corruption is important everywhere but of particular importance for Armenia. It is partly because of corruption and the lack of opportunity that results from it that Armenia is losing its most valuable asset - its young professionals," said Carel Hofstra, the Deputy Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan.

"Corruption is one of the diseases of a society and an impediment on the route to building a healthy society. Three components - transparent authorities, institutional reform and the active involvement of the civil society - can help prevent corruption more effectively," said Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan.