YEREVAN. – The scourge of corruption holds Armenia back in a number of areas, U.S. Ambassador Richard Mills told Aravot newspaper.

As per Mills, “That is why, together with its Armenian partners, the entire U.S. Embassy is helping increase access to markets and resources by fighting corruption and leveling the playing field for innovation, investments, and businesses.”

“Last fall I outlined my four priorities during my time in Armenia, and helping Armenia fight corruption is one of those priorities,” added the US ambassador. “USAID plays a part, helping fund various experts and improvements, such as the pension system reforms that helped weed out those who were receiving pensions wrongly.

“Additionally, we work to provide educational opportunities for government and civil society leaders fighting corruption through programs like our International Visitor Leadership Program.

“We bring experts to Armenia to provide training, most recently Peter Ainsworth, the Senior Anticorruption Counsel of the U.S. Department of Justice.

“We are committed to working with those in Armenia who want to find Armenian solutions to the problem of corruption.”