Official's declaration of student children's tuition fees and foreign holiday expenses will also be required, says Badassyan

The discussion on the national strategy for combating corruption for 2019-2020 was held today in the National Assembly's committee on European integration. MP Sona Ghazaryan from the ‘My Step’ faction asked Minister of Justice Rustam Badassyan, ‘We were recently in Lithuania, where we studied what kind of declarations they submit; they declare not only their assets but also their expenses. One could receive a bribe in cash and spend it, and the movement of those funds would not be reflected in the declaration. Therefore, is it not possible for expenses to also be declared in Armenia?’

The minister responded that they have planned this in their action program, noting that next month they will have a draft project ready which will require the declaration of tuition fees for student children, expenses for foreign business trips, and expenses for foreign holidays. Additionally, the scope of individuals obligated to submit a declaration will be revised to include those living with officials. Hence, this is part of the action program.

MP Gayane Abrahamyan from the ‘My Step’ faction also expressed her concerns, stating, ‘The principles of forming the Anti-Corruption Committee worry me; how will we ensure the principle of complete independence and autonomy?’ The minister replied that they have implemented criteria for the selection of the Anti-Corruption Committee heads, whereby candidates will first be chosen by a competitive committee, but the Prime Minister may appoint them as a primary option. ‘In the future, we plan to expand the role and involvement of the National Assembly. An acceptable model worldwide, if we do not want it to be politicized, is the formation of a competitive committee that can check the moral integrity and professional readiness of candidates,’ he said.