YEREVAN, MARCH 5, NOYAN TAPAN. An Advocacy and Assistance Center (AAC) opened in Yerevan on March 2. It will be launched by Transparency International Anti-corrution Center (TIAC) with the financing of the USAID Mobilizing Action against Corruption Activity program. The AAC will give legal advice and assistance to citizens to help with examination of their complaints against corruption. Such centers already function in Tavush, Lori, Shirak and Syunik marzes. The US ambassador to Armenia Marie Yovanovitch pointed out the willingness of the US administration to assist with democratic reforms and efficient government in Armenia. In her words, in order to reduce the corruption, it is necessary to adopt a comprehensive approach, including the creation of such a system of government that will prevent manifestations of corruption and make them most noticeable. She underlined the role of NGOs and the independent media in revealing corruption cases. The head of TIAC Amalia Kostanian said: "We can assist the state if a will to fight corruption really exists". In her opinion, although reforms in this direction are being implemented in some spheres, these steps are not sufficient. "A question arises: why do not the authorities address such corrupted spheres as the electoral and judicial systems?" A. Kostanian asked, adding that in order to achieve success, system reforms should be made in all the spheres.

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