On January 30, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Arpine Sargsyan received Michael Vasco, the senior adviser on justice issues of the US State Department, and Kristina Afoyan, the head of the Criminal Justice Reform Program of the US Embassy in Yerevan, Drug Control and Law Enforcement Cooperation.
Arpine Sargsyan referred to the formation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the transparent and accountable mechanisms of personnel selection. Arpine Sargsyan mentioned that the Department of Internal Security and Anti-Corruption was formed in that direction in the Ministry of Internal Affairs. He also presented the main directions of the department’s activities and the results recorded in the fight against corruption-related crimes, emphasizing the priority of ensuring the transparent working style of the structure and access to information for the public.
Regarding the certification procedure, the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs noted the presence of various components of the conduct check in that process and the extensive work carried out. Referring to the newly formed Criminal Police, Arpine Sargsyan particularly emphasized the issues regarding the implementation of new technologies in the fight against crime, the development of personnel capabilities, and the recruitment of personnel in the reforms of the police sector.
The Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs emphasized introducing new technologies and mechanisms for cybercrime, crypto-currencies, and corruption-related crimes.
At the meeting, the American side highly appreciated the reforms implemented in the Ministry of Internal Affairs and their results. They presented the program supporting anti-corruption reforms, within the framework of which the United States is ready to support the Ministry of Internal Affairs. At the end of the meeting, an agreement was reached to work closely in the indicated directions, continuing the practical cooperation.
