The Armenian elite is not in a hurry to comment on the statement of the US ambassador to Armenia that monopolies and, essentially, corruption are holding back American investors from coming to Armenia. 

Speaking to “Zhamanak” newspaper, Richard Mills, speaking about Armenian-American relations, specifically said: “The type of corruption that is most troubling, and that deters American investors, is corruption that closes markets and creates unfair competition. It is when influential people with economic and political connections use their opportunities and leverage for their own interests, and as a result, an unfair environment is created, equal playing conditions are not established.”

In particular, the Republican Party does not tend to take it as “sharp criticism.”»observe. RPA Vice-Chairman of the National Assembly Eduard Sharmazanov In other words, they perceive the US ambassador’s assessment not so much as sharp criticism, but as a recommendation or healthy criticism from a sympathetic colleague. According to him, anti-corruption measures and consistent democratization of the country are the focus of special attention of the RA authorities.

“There have been and continue to be anti-corruption measures in RA, moreover, he reminded that several anti-corruption legislative initiatives were proposed during the last year. At the same time, he emphasized that Armenia is always ready to take into account the experience of European and American partners. No one ever says that there are no bad phenomena in Armenia, such as corruption and monopolies. We have to see if we are going in the right direction or not, was it more of a problem yesterday or today,” Sharmazanov stated in a briefing with journalists at the National Assembly.

He also countered that such problems exist in the same USA, Russia and all other states. But it is obvious that “no one is more interested in the development of democratic values ​​in Armenia than the current RA authorities” and, according to Sharmazanov, the authorities have both the political will and the desire to listen carefully to the constructive proposals of foreign partners. And if necessary, also willingness to start the reforms with a new momentum. 

And here is the former speaker of the National Assembly, vice-president of the RPA Galust Sahakyan generally refrains from responding to the statements of any ambassador, because “ambassadors measure themselves at the level of their country”.

He also responded regarding corruption. “If there are such problems, naturally, the government is to blame. If that corruption exists, if the American ambassador knows the place of corruption, let him tell. I don’t know that place.”

As always, Galust Sahakyan gave a marginal answer to the question of why American investors do not come to Armenia. “Naturally, American investors will not come here, nor people from other countries, because Armenia is a constantly fighting state.”