On July 16, Minister of Internal Affairs Vahe Ghazaryan received US Deputy Secretary of State Uzra Zeya in the newly constructed administrative complex of the Patrol Service and Operational Management Center.
Vahe Ghazaryan highly appreciated the continuous support shown by the strategic partner, the United States of America, in the framework of the reforms of the police sector, which is based on the same value system for the development of democracy.
The minister emphasized that the Republic of Armenia has set new benchmarks for the protection of human rights, the rule of law, and good governance, which was also demonstrated by the formation of a new democratic institution, the logical leader of police sector reforms, the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
According to Vahe Ghazaryan, the proof of the existence of the public demand and decisive political will underlying the sectorial reforms is the Patrol Service established in 2021 and already introduced in the entire republic in 2023, which has recorded impressive results in ensuring public security. The Water Patrol Service launched in Lake Sevan and coastal areas provides citizens with a new style of service.
Referring to the creation of the Police Operational Management Center as a new and modern model for service of alerts received from citizens, operational management of patrol units and coordination of joint actions of police forces, the Minister stated that it aspires to become a unified call management center of the republic, uniting the police rescue service, managing emergency calls, and providing citizens with a one-stop quality service.
The minister emphasized the importance of implementation of the planned directions of reforms in the field of human resources management and expressed confidence that the new program launched jointly will ensure a new quality of personnel.
The minister noted that the already taken measures contributed to the increase of public trust in the police, as evidenced by the results of surveys delegated by the International Republican Institute and the OSCE, with 62 percent satisfaction and 72 percent trust indicators.
Once again expressing his gratitude for always supporting the ambitious reform initiatives in the ministry, the Minister of Internal Affairs emphasized that the bilateral strategic partnership has the potential to expand and target new directions, which is an incentive to build greater public trust in the police.
US Deputy Secretary of State Uzra Zeya, welcoming and thanking US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken for the warm welcome, emphasized the close and effective cooperation between the Republic of Armenia and the United States of America for nearly three decades, which is now stronger than ever.
The formation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs was referred to and the importance and effectiveness of close partnership with the Ministry was emphasized. The Deputy Secretary of State emphasized the provision of active support to the USA in reforming the educational system.
The US Deputy Secretary of State reaffirmed the US commitment to support the reforms of the police sector and emphasized that the ministry has full support from their side in the direction of the full implementation of the ambitious agenda. He expressed his willingness to deepen the relations, which are based on the close ties between the two peoples, as well as the principles of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Other issues of mutual interest were discussed at the meeting.
