In preparation for the implementation of the PGG phase II regional project on “Strengthening measures to prevent and combat economic crime” and the country specific project on “Strengthening institutional capacities to fight and prevent corruption in Armenia”, the Economic Crime and Cooperation Division organised inception phase consultations with representatives of Armenian institutions on 3-4 April 2019 in Yerevan Armenia.

The CoE delegation consisting of a member of the ECCD secretariat supported by two consultants with expertise in the field of fighting corruption and fighting money laundering and terrorist financing held meetings with representatives of the Office of Civil Service within Prime Minister’s office, Ministry of Justice, the Office of the Prosecutor General, the office of the Speaker of the Armenian Parliament, the Special Investigative Service, the Investigative Committee, Transparency international and the EUD.

The purpose of the meetings was to collect up to date information on the current developments in Armenia, government priorities in the fight against corruption, money laundering and terrorist financing, which will be used to set baseline indicators for the implementation of the two projects. Furthermore all stakeholders had an opportunity to provide their input and comments to the initial workplan of activities and the indicate priority activities for implementation.

As a follow up to these meetings an updated workplan as well as an inception report will be prepared and presented to the Steering (Technical) Committee of the project which is expected to meet in early June 2019.