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At PACE Session the RA NA Deputy Speaker, Head of RA NA Delegation to PACE Arpine Hovhannisyan delivered a speech on behalf of the EPP Group during the debate of the item Political integrity in governance to tackle political corruption .

“Dear colleagues, first let me express my gratitude to the Rapporteur Mr.Michele Nicoletti for a very interesting report and recommendations.

As once Joe Biden said fighting corruption is not just good governance. It’s self defense. It’s patriotism.

The rapporteur correctly noted in his report that one of the key features for fighting the corruption is promoting a political and cultural environment conducive to a corruption-resilient society. In fact, if we look at the international treaties from Jakarta principles to UN Convention against Corruption we will see that there are three components in fight against corruption: education, prevention and fight. In reality we should start with targeted education and then follow that route.

Using this opportunity, I would like to share with you the latest developments in my country with regards to this issue. Two weeks ago we established independent and autonomous Commission for corruption prevention. For the first time we have stipulated mechanisms for the whistle-blowers’ protection of which is in full compliance with the resolutions adopted by PACE. A unified e-platform will be established where the whistle-blowers can anonymously file a report about crimes. We increased the number of high-ranking officials who are responsible to declare on their assets, income and financial means. Besides illicit enrichment was criminalized and the restrictions were introduced in cash flow. And the list of onward regulations continues.

Dear colleagues, when speaking about corruption in this Assembly it is impossible not to refer to corruption scandals that are connected with different names of members of the Assembly. Unfortunately, corruption is no longer just an idea or a just a topic in this Assembly, as it has a face, it has its addressees.

Regretfully, sometimes we did not take it seriously by treating it as a mere rumour, as a possible pressure on our opinions when we were criticizing this phenomenon.

But the fact is that now we speak about it openly in contrast to several years ago when people were pronouncing it very carefully and with some reservations. I do not want to accept that problems such as corruption scandals can shadow the values that we possess. Of course, everyone here represents the interest of her/his own country, but I believe that we are all here delegated not only to protect our national interests but to pursue a global mission, a mission of generation shift. We are in this Assembly to ensure the continuity of the pillar values that have been grounded since 1949. What are we going to transfer to our generations? I hope not the principle and procedures of giving bribes and solving issues in this way.

Esteemed colleagues, today’s discussions proved that we are mostly united in our position to keep up our basic values, and this house in its original sense.

That is why we highlight very much and welcome the creation of the investigative body on corruption scandals.”