VIDEO: “How can we be sure that our honest work won't be punished in the end?” - Kerobyan

During a government meeting, issues related to violations identified in the programs for establishing intensive orchards were discussed. “The work of the government should be differentiated from the work of law enforcement agencies. We must continue our financing while, of course, improving procedures. Let law enforcement do their work. Whoever steals from there should face responsibility. If we are to destroy the entire sector in Armenia because of one or two, even ten companies, it means we are destroying the future of the country; such a thing cannot be done. Therefore, I propose to separate the work of the government and law enforcement agencies,” said the Prime Minister.

He noted that the entire project should not be closed due to abuses in the field of intensive orchards. “Okay, let’s assume that 7,000 were not established, but was 6,000, or 5,000, established? Was 4,300 established? That is our goal; let law enforcement handle the rest,” he stated.

Economy Minister Vahan Kerobyan also mentioned that 100 billion drams have been mobilized in the program for intensive orchards, while recently identified violations by law enforcement relate to “only 234 million drams” of breach, which constitutes 0.2% of the total volume. “Regular banks that provide loans generally account for 2-3% for potential losses. The abuses we're discussing here are not about theft, but rather about stakeholder fraud, and if people who haven't stolen, or whose theft has not been proven, are punished for this, then we are paralyzing the entire functioning of the state system,” he noted.

The minister also raised the question of how agricultural authorities should continue to work in a way that reassures them their honest work will not be punished in the end. “I believe we need a cultural change. We need to understand if we allow people to make mistakes from time to time. Although, in this case, I am sure it will be clarified that there are no particular mistakes,” Kerobyan said.

The Prime Minister responded that this question has been discussed on various occasions. “Was there theft of state funds or not? A procedural violation is one thing, but planned abuse or embezzlement and bribery is another.” He emphasized that the question is whether money has been taken from the budget or not. “If it has not been taken, then that is the right to make mistakes. We all certainly make mistakes, but the question is the content and essence of the mistake, and therefore we should be guided by that principle.”