The Armenian authorities consider Ambassador Richard Mills' statement on high level of corruption in Armenia inadmissible and incorrect, Galust Sahakyan told reporters commenting on the diplomat's latest statement saying that the relations between the U.S. and Armenia in specific areas, such as U.S. investments in Armenia, will be affected if the anti-corruption council led by Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan fails to solve corruption problem.
"No ambassador has a right to speak with ultimatums. He presented the principal stance of his country that wants to create bases for fighting corruption. However, his imperative statements are neither clear nor admissible to us," the speaker said.
He said the ambassador has no right to talk in such a manner to the people that managed to restore their independent and statehood on their own. "The ambassador's statement must be correct," the speaker said adding that the highest level of corruption is in the big powers. "However, in small countries corruption directly affects the people," he said and expressed hope that the Constitutional Reform in the country will boost the anti-corruption activities.
Earlier, on Tuesday, U.S. Ambassador Richard Mills said in a speech delivered at the American Chamber of Commerce in Armenia saying the Armenian authorities need to fight against endemic corruption in Armenia that hampers economic development and democratization. "I must be frank with our Armenian friends about the very real toll that corruption exacts on Armenia. I hear about that toll from potential U.S. business investors and from average Armenians as I travel the country," he said in a speech delivered at the American Chamber of Commerce in Armenia. Mills defended on Tuesday the promised U.S. assistance to the government body, saying that it will be contingent on "measurable achievements." "If the council does not deliver, our support will end, plain and simple," he warned.