GRECO welcomes new Anti-Corruption Strategy and the Action Plan arising from the Strategy — GRECO’s Fifth Round Evaluation Report has been released

After having been approved within the scope of the 96^th Plenary Meeting of the Council of Europe's Group of States against Corruption (GRECO), GRECO’s Fifth Round Evaluation Report on Armenia has been published. This Fifth Round Evaluation concerns "Preventing corruption and promoting integrity in central governments (top executive functions) and law enforcement agencies”. In the Report, GRECO emphasised the positive steps that Armenia has taken following the 2018 Velvet Revolution to promote the fight against corruption. GRECO welcomed the new Anti-Corruption Strategy and the Action Plan arising from the Strategy, which were approved on 26 October 2023 after having undergone a long, comprehensive and inclusive process of development, ensuring participation of the civil society in that process. According to GRECO, the Strategy envisages promising developments that are in line with international standards and significantly address the issues raised by GRECO. GRECO welcomed the establishment of anti-corruption institutions in the Republic of Armenia within the scope of the 2019-2022 Anti-Corruption Strategy and its Action Plan, including the three-tier anti-corruption judicial system. At the same time, the creation of a new electronic declaration system and electronic register of beneficial owners — launched by the Corruption Prevention Commission — was positively assessed. Thanks to the latter, according to GRECO, Armenia is among the first countries to post on-line data on beneficial owners. The Report also touches upon the wide involvement of the civil society in the process of monitoring the anti-corruption commitments, as well as the good practice of public discussions in the law-making process. GRECO also welcomed the mechanisms for acceptance of gifts by persons holding a public position or by public servants. And so, 22 recommendations were given to the top executive bodies and police — 11 for each, respectively, within the scope of GRECO's Fifth Round Evaluation. Within the scope of the recommendations, it is recommended to establish integrity check mechanisms for persons with top executive functions (PTEFs) before assuming office and while in office, periodic trainings and awareness-raising activities within the scope of the already adopted Code of Conduct, to strengthen the accountability system within the Government and the mechanisms for access to information. A report on the measures taken to implement the mentioned 22 recommendations will be submitted to GRECO by 30 September 2025, after which GRECO will verify compliance of the recommendations.