REPUBLIC OF

ARMENIA
Public Administration
Country Profile

Division for Public Administration and Development Management (DPADM)

Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA)
United Nations

January 2004

All papers, statistics and materials contained in the Country Profiles express entirely the opinion of the mentioned authors.
They should not, unless otherwise mentioned, be attributed to the Secretariat of the United Nations.

The designations employed and the presentation of material on maps in the Country Profiles do not imply the expression
of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country,
territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents........................................................................................... 1

Armenia ....................................................................................................... 2

1. General Information ................................................................................... 3

1.1 People.................................................................................................. 3
1.2 Economy .............................................................................................. 3
1.3 Public Spending ..................................................................................... 4
1.4 Public Sector Employment and Wages....................................................... 4
2. Legal Structure .......................................................................................... 5
2.1 Legislative Branch.................................................................................. 5
2.2 Executive Branch ................................................................................... 6
2.3 Judiciary Branch .................................................................................... 6
2.4 Local Government.................................................................................. 7
3. The State and Civil Society .......................................................................... 9
3.1 Ombudsperson ...................................................................................... 9
3.2 NGOs ................................................................................................... 9
3.3 Civil Society .......................................................................................... 9
4. Civil Service .............................................................................................11
4.1 Legal basis...........................................................................................11
4.2 Appointment ........................................................................................12
4.3 Remuneration ......................................................................................12
4.4 Training...............................................................................................12
4.5 Gender................................................................................................13
5. Ethics and Civil Service ..............................................................................14
5.1 Corruption ...........................................................................................14
5.2 Ethics..................................................................................................15
6. e-Government ..........................................................................................17
6.1 e-Government Readiness .......................................................................17
6.2 e-Participation ......................................................................................18
7. Links .......................................................................................................19
7.1 National sites .......................................................................................19
7.2 Institutional sites ..................................................................................19

1
 ARMENIA
Armenia
Click here for detailed map

Government type
Republic

Independence
21 September 1991 (from
Soviet Union)

Constitution
Adopted by nationwide
referendum 5 July 1995 (click
here)

Legal system
Based on civil law system

Administrative divisions
11 provinces (Aragatsotn,
Ararat, Armavir,
Geghark'unik', Kotayk', Lorri,
Shirak, Syunik', Tavush,
Source: The World Factbook - Armenia
Vayots' Dzor, Yerevan)
Source: The World Factbook - Armenia

The latest presidential elections were held in February and March 2003 when Robert
Kocharian was reelected to the post of President of the Republic of Armenia.a Despite
the tragic event of 27 October 1999, when five gunmen assassinated the Prime
Minister, the Speaker of the National Assembly and other politicians in the National
Assembly, the political situation is relatively stable.
The domestic political situation cannot be separated from its regional context. The
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has dominated Armenian politics since 1988, before
independence from the Soviet Union. The cease fire declared in 1994 has held well,
but soldiers and civilians are killed every year along the line of contact. The
international negotiations conducted in the framework of the OSCE/Minsk Group
continue, as well as intensified face-to-face meetings between the two Presidents,
but have so far failed to bring a peace agreement.
Since 1994 Armenia has enjoyed consecutive economic growth, with GDP growing at
6% in 2000, and an average annual growth of 5.4%. This is partly dependent on
considerable flows of international aid and large remittances from the Diaspora.
Source: European Commission (External Relations) - Armenia (edited)

a
Since March 20, 1997, Robert Kocharian was appointed to the post of Prime Minister. On March 30, 1998, Robert
Kocharian was elected President of the Republic of Armenia for the first time (Source: Government of Armenia)

2
 1. General Information

1.1 People Armenia Azerbaijan Georgia 2

Population a

Total estimated population (,000), 2003 3,061 8,370 5,126

Female estimated population (,000), 2003 1,574 4,291 2,678
Male estimated population (,000), 2003 1,487 4,079 2,448
Sex ratio (males per 100 females), 2003 94 95 91
Average annual rate of change of pop. (%), 2000-2005 -0.45 0.89 -0.92
Youth and Elderly Population b

Total population under age 15 (%), 2003 20 29 19

Female population aged 60+ (%), 2003 15 10 22
Male population aged 60+ (%), 2003 11 8 16
Human Settlements c

Urban population (%), 2001 67 52 57

Rural population (%), 2001 33 48 43
Urban average annual rate of change in pop. (%), 00-05 0.19 0.59 -0.1
Rural average annual rate of change in pop/ (%), 00-05 -0.21 0.59 -1.1
Education d

Total school life expectancy, 2000/2001 8.5 10.5i 6.4 1

i
Female school life expectancy, 2000/2001 8.8 10.5 6.4 1

i
Male school life expectancy, 2000/2001 8.1 10.6 6.4 1

ii
Female estimated adult (15+) illiteracy rate (%), 2000 2.4 .. .. 2

Male estimated adult (15+) illiteracy rate (%), 2000 0.7ii .. .. 2

Employment e

Unemployment rate (15+) (%), 2001 36.4iii 1.3iv 11 1

v vi vii
Female adult (+15) economic activity rate (%), 2001 51 43 58 2

v vi vii
Male adult (+15) economic activity rate (%), 2001 74 50 76 2

Notes: i 1998/1999; ii 1989; iii 1997, Urban areas only; iv Based on registered unemployment from employment office records, On 31st December;
v
1997; vi 2000; Data for all ages (activity rate shown is crude activity rate); vii Excluding armed forces

1.2 Economy Armenia Azerbaijan Georgia 3

GDP a

GDP total (millions US$), 2002 2,367 6,090 3,324

GDP per capita (US$), 2002 771 744 642
PPP GDP total (millions int. US$), 2002 9,085 25,493 11,339
PPP GDP per capita(int. US$), 2002 2,957 3,115 2,190
Sectors b

Value added in agriculture (% of GDP), 2003 23.5 14.3 20.5

Value added in industry (% of GDP), 2003 39.2 54.5 25.5
Value added in services (% of GDP), 2003 37.3 31.1 54.1
Miscellaneous c

GDP implicit price deflator (annual % growth), 2003 4.6 4.0 3.4
Private consumption (% of GDP), 2003 82.5 63.2 81.4
Government consumption (% of GDP), 2003 10.3 11.7 8.9
Notes:

2
United Nations Statistics Division:
a
Statistics Division and Population Division of the UN Secretariat; b Statistics Division and Population Division of the UN
Secretariat; c Population Division of the UN Secretariat; d1 UNESCO ; d2 UNESCO; e1 ILO; e2 ILO/OECD
3
World Bank - Data and Statistics:
a
Quick Reference Tables; b Data Profile Tables ; c Country at a Glance

3
1.3 Public Spending Armenia Azerbaijan Georgia
Public expenditures d

Education (% of GNP), 1985-1987 .. 5.8 .. a

i
Education (% of GNP), 1995-1997 2 3 5.2 a

Health (% of GDP), 1990 .. 2.7 3

Health (% of GDP), 1999 4 1 0.8
Military (% of GDP), 1990 .. .. .. b

Military (% of GDP), 2000 4.4 2.7 0.9 b

Total debt service (% of GDP), 1990 .. .. ..

Total debt service (% of GDP), 2000 2.2 3.4 3.9
Notes: i Data refer to a year or period other than that specified
Click here for further information on Subnational share of overall public spending and public administration employees

1.4 Public Sector Employment and Wages

Europe & Central Asia Low income
Armenia Armenia Central Asia & Caucasus group
Data from the latest year available
1991-1995 1996-2000 averagee average4 average4
1996-2000 1996-2000 1996-2000
Employment
(,000) 30.0 10.2
Civilian Central Governmentf
(% pop.) 0.80 0.27 0.61 0.90 0.46
(,000) 139.0 33.1
Sub-national Government5
(% pop.) 3.70 0.87 0.61 0.90 0.46
(,000) 150.0 84.5
Education employees
(% pop.) 3.99 2.22 1.58 1.68 0.91
(,000) 73.0 3.3
Health employees
(% pop.) 1.94 0.09 1.15 1.23 0.62
(,000) .. ..
Police
(% pop.) .. .. 0.68 .. 0.30
(,000) .. ..
Armed forces
(% pop.) .. .. 0.87 0.96 0.33
(,000) .. ..
SOE Employees
(% pop.) .. .. 20.1 37.8 13.1
(,000) .. ..
Total Public Employment
(% pop.) .. .. .. .. ..
Wages
Total Central gov't wage bill (% of GDP) 1.8 2.9 5.6 5.3 5.4
Total Central govt wage bill (% of exp) .. .. 13.1 11.8 24.7
Average gov't wage (,000 LCU) .. 135.6
Real ave. govt wage ('97 price) (,000 LCU) .. 124.8
Average govt wage to per capita GDP ratio .. 0.5 6.3 12.1 4.4
Source: World Bank - Public Sector Employment and Wages

d
UNDP - Human Development Report 2002
a
Data refer to total public expenditure on education, including current and capital expenditures.
b
As a result of a number of limitations in the data, comparisons of military expenditure data over time and across
countries should be made with caution. For detailed notes on the data see SIPRI (2001).
e
Averages for regions and sub regions are only generated if data is available for at least 35% of the countries in that
region or sub region.
f
Excluding education, health and police if available (view Country Sources for further explanations).
4
2. Legal Structure

T he Republic of Armenia has a system of presidential rule. In accordance with the

Constitution, the President ensures compliance with the Constitution, the normal
operation of the legislative, the executive and the judiciary, and serves as the
guarantor of sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of the Republic.
Source: The Republic of Armenia - Official site

2.1 Legislative Branch

Unicameral National Assembly (Parliament) or Azgayin Zhoghov (131 seats; members elected by popular
vote to serve four-year terms; 75 members selected by direct vote, 56 by party list.g
Women in parliament: 6 out of 131 seats: (5%)..h

The 131-member National Assembly has exclusive legislative Fact box:

authority. The right to initiate legislation in the National elections: Last held 25 May
Assembly shall belong to the Deputies and the Government. 2003 (next to be held in the
spring of 2007)
Parliament may dismiss the government by a vote of no election results: Percent of
confidence and unseat the president with a two-thirds vote by party - Republican
majority if the Constitutional Court finds him guilty of grave Party 23.5%, Justice Bloc
offenses. 13.6%, Rule of Law 12.3%,
ARF (Dashnak) 11.4%,
The National Assembly appoints the president of the Central National Unity Party 8.8%,
Bank, at the proposal of the President. At the proposal of the United Labor Party 5.7%;
president of the National Assembly, the assembly appoints the seats by party - Republican
president of the National Assembly's Oversight Chamber Party 23, Justice Bloc 14,
(Verahskich palat) and members of the Constitutional Court. Rule of Law 12, ARF
(Dashnak) 11, National
According to the Constitution there shall be six standing Unity 9, United Labor 6;
committees established in the National Assembly and ad hoc note - seats by party
committees may be established as necessary. The legislature change frequently as
has on several occasions formed special commissions to deputies switch parties or
investigate government activities and held hearings on issues announce themselves
of popular concern. The post-Soviet Constitution, enacted in independent
1995, allows the president to dissolve Parliament.i
The regular sessions of the National Assembly are held twice a year: from mid-
September to mid-December and from the early February to mid-June. Meetings of
the National Assembly are open.
A special session of the National Assembly is called by the President of the Republic
at the initiative of at least one third of the overall number of delegates or of the
Government. At the request of the majority of the overall number of delegates of the
National Assembly a special session is held with the agenda and within the time
period stipulated by the initiators.
A special meeting of the National Assembly is called by the president of the National
Assembly at the initiative of the Government or at least one third of the overall
number of delegates. A special meeting is held with the agenda and within the time
period stipulated by the initiators.
The Constitution of the Republic of Armenia

g
Source of fact boxes if nothing else stated: The World Factbook - Armenia
h
Inter-Parliamentary Union - Women in National Parliaments
i
Freedom House - Nations in Transit 2003 (edited)

5
2.2 Executive Branch
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister
elections: President elected by popular vote for a five-year term;; prime minister appointed by the president;
the prime minister and Council of Ministers must resign if the National Assembly refuses to accept their
program

The President of the Republic is elected by the citizens of the

Republic of Armenia for a term of five years. The President is Fact box:
chief of state:
considered elected when receiving more than half of the votes President Robert
cast for candidates. If more than two candidates were voted for KOCHARIAN (since 30
and none of them received the required votes, a run-off takes March 1998).; re-
place. The candidate who receives the most votes in the second elected 5 March 2003j
stage is considered elected. In the case where one candidate is head of government:
voted on, he is considered elected if he received over half of the Prime Minister
votes of the participants in the voting. The same person cannot Andranik
be elected continuously more than two times to the office of MARKARYAN (since
President of the Republic. 12 May 2000)

The President may dissolve the National Assembly and designate special elections
after consultations with the President of the National Assembly and the Prime
Minister. The President of the Republic appoints and removes the Prime Minister of
the Republic. The President also appoints and removes all members of the
Government nominated by the Prime Minister.
The President furthermore appoints and removes the Chief Prosecutor upon the
recommendation of the Prime Minister and appoints members and the President of
the Constitutional Court. The President moreover heads the Council of Justice
(Ardaradatutian khorhurd) and appoints judges for the courts proposed by the
Council.
The Government of the Republic of Armenia exercises the executive authority of the
Republic of Armenia. The Government is comprised of the Prime Minister and
ministers. The Government's structure and work procedure, upon presentation of the
Prime Minister, are fixed by decree of the President of the Republic.
Source: The Constitution of the Republic of Armenia

2.3 Judiciary Branch

Constitutional Court; Court of Cassation (Appeals Court).

The Constitution provides for the independence of judicial bodies, guaranteed by the
President of the Republic, with the Law on the Status of Judges regulating the
independence of judges The system and formation of the courts are established by
the Constitution and the Law on the Judicial System.
The Constitution mandates a three-level court systemk:
Court of Appeals (vchrabek dataran);
Review courts (veraknnich dataranner); and
Tribunal courts of first instance (arajin atyani dataranner)

j
Central Electoral Commission - Presidential Elections 2003
k
The Law on the Judicial System uses the terminology: Court of Cassation, Appellate Courts, and Courts of First
Instance.

6
The highest court is the Court of Appeals. First instance courts try most cases, with a
right of appeal to the Court of Appeals, and then to the Court of Appeals (click here
for more information).
The Constitutional Court rules on the conformity of legislation with the Constitution,
approves international agreements, and decides election-related legal questions. It
can accept only cases proposed by the President, by two-thirds of all parliamentary
deputies, or election-related cases brought by candidates for the National Assembly
or the presidency.l
With regard to judicial control over laws, according to Article 15 of the Civil Code of
the Republic, a legal act, whether adopted by a local self-governing body or state
authorities, that violates the civil rights of a citizen or a legal person, can be ruled as
unlawful upon the decision of the court. The rights violated by the legal acts ruled as
unlawful, are to be defended. Besides, Article 26 of the Civil Procedure Code
establishes the rules according to which the legal acts, adopted by local self-
governing bodies or state authorities, contradicting the laws, can be acknowledged
as unlawful.m
Under the Constitution, the President appoints judges for the tribunal courts of first
instance, review courts, and the Court of Appeals. The Council of Justice, which the
President heads, proposes the candidacies for the presidents and judges of the Court
of Appeals and its chambers and the presidents of the review, first instance tribunal
and other courts and presents its finding concerning the candidacies for other judges
presented by the Justice Minister. The Justice Minister and the Chief Prosecutor are
the vice-presidents of the Council. The President appoints the other 14 members of
the Council of Justice for five years and four of the nine Constitutional Court judges
(the National Assembly appoints the other five).
The selection of judges is based on the provisions of Part 9 of the Charter of the
Ministry of Justice, according to which a relevant Commission formed by the Minister
of Justice is responsible for the procedure of examination and selection of applicants.
The examination is based on a 20-score system, and special examination
commissions, formed by the Minister of Justice, are responsible for grading the
applicants. The Minister of Justice, then, can interview those candidates who satisfied
the requirements of written examinations. Based on the results of the written and
oral tests, the Minister of Justice proposes the list of the candidates, which is
introduced to the President of the Republic by the Council of Justice.n
Judges and members of the Constitutional Court are permanent. A judge holds office
until he reaches age 65 and a member of the Constitutional Court until he reaches
age 70.
Source: The Constitution of the Republic of Armenia

2.4 Local Government

The cornerstone for the formation of the system of local self-government in Armenia
was laid in 1995 with the adoption of the Republic of Armenia Constitution chapter 7
of which is devoted entirely to territorial administration and local self-government. It
was the Constitution that introduced new administrative-territorial units, viz. marz
(regions) and communities that had to replace the former administrative-territorial
units. The Constitution provides for state government in the regions by stipulating
that Regional governors (marzpetner) are appointed and dismissed by the

l
U.S. Department of State - Human Rights Practice 2003
m
Source: Government of Armenia
n
Source: Government of Armenia

7
Government. The President of the Republic upon presentation by the Prime Minister
appoints and dismisses the mayor of Yerevan.o
Community Councils and Community Heads (or Mayor in urban communities, Head
of a district community in the district communities in Yerevan and Village Head in
rural communities) are elected in all the communities for a three-year period.
Community Heads recruit their own staff. The number of Councilors varies from five
to fifteen depending on the size of the population.
In December 1995, on the basis of the Constitution, the Law On administrative-
territorial division was adopted, which drew borders of both the communities and
localities and described marz and communities that were to become new
administrative-territorial units. 11 marz were established (including the city of
Yerevan which was given the status of a marz) and 930 communities, of which 47
were urban, 871 were rural and 12 were district communities in Yerevan. One
community can incorporate various localities, both towns and villages that do not
have the status of a separate community. Based on that principle, 8 out of 952 rural
communities were included in urban, whereas the others in rural communities.
The Law On local self-government, which was the most important piece of legislation
in the field, was passed in 1996 and took effect on November 10, 1996 (i.e. on the
first day of municipal elections). The Law defined the concept of local self-
government, the principles of local self-government, the bodies of local self-
government and their powers and competence as well as mutual relations, etc. It has
to be noted that the Law On local self-government adopted in 1996 was on the whole
in line with the provisions of the European Charter on Local Self-Government.
In terms of the formation of the local self-government system the adoption of other
laws (that are directly or indirectly related to that system) had an important role and
significance. Among those were the laws On the budgetary system, On local duties
and charges, On local referenda, On financial equalization, On urban development
and On condominiums as well as the Civil Code and Land Code, etc.
A new Law On local self-government was adopted in 2002 (click here for a guide to
the 2002 law.)
Source: The Law on Local Self-Government: Questions and Answers (2002)

o
The Constitution of the Republic of Armenia

8
3. The State and Civil Society

3.1 Ombudsperson
The Law on the Human Rights Defender has been in force since January 1, 2004. The
law regulates the appointment and removal, as well as the mandate of the Human
Right Defender.
Source: Government of Armenia

3.2 NGOs
According to the Ministry of Justice, there were some 2,800 registered NGOs in
Armenia as of November 2002. Of these, approximately 1,000 were registered over
the previous year. Only a fraction, though, actually operate in practice. The scope of
NGO activities is very broad and includes areas such as politics, human rights,
benevolence, labor, business, and social and womens affairs.
In September 2002, several womens NGOs agreed to form a nationwide coalition to
promote womens political participation. According to Svetlana Aslanian, chairwoman
of the Center for Civil Society Development, the NGO network will be particularly
concerned with boosting female representation in local governments.
The impact of NGOs on government policies remains quite limited. And even though
the American group World Learning has launched grants in the fields of advocacy,
Armenian civic groups have not been very active in lobbying the government or
Parliament for passage of legislation.
The activities in 2002 of an NGO called Havat (Faith) provided a rare example of
successful policy advocacy. Havat succeeded in urging Parliament to pass
amendments to the Law on Social Security of Handicapped People aimed at better
integrating the disabled into society. Another NGO, Antenna, likewise lobbied for
changes in the controversial Law on TV and Radio in collaboration with other media
associations. Also worth mentioning is a new group set up in April 2002 by Raffi
Hovannisian, Armenias U.S.-born former foreign minister. The National Citizens
Initiative has the stated goal of promoting civic activism and public participation in
the countrys political life.
The publics attitude toward the NGO sector is generally positive, and the medias
coverage of NGOs is equally so. However, the governments attitude is rather
indifferent. Only one nominally apolitical organization has received strong
government attention: the Yerkrapah Union of veterans of the Nagorno-Karabakh
war. The authorities have in the past used the paramilitary group, which comprises
some top army commanders, for suppressing the opposition. However, Yerkrapahs
political influence has declined substantially since the assassination of its founder,
Vazgen Sarkisian, in the 1999 Parliament massacre.
Source: Freedom House - Nations in Transit 2003 (edited)

3.3 Civil Society

In late 2000 a new Law on TV and Radio was passed. In accordance with one of its
provisions, President Kocharian appointed in January 2002 all nine members of the
at newly created National Commission on Television and Radio, empowered to issue
and revoke broadcasting licenses by administering biddings for air frequencies. The
first such tender, held on April 2, resulted in the closure of the popular A1+ channel.
The legal framework for the functioning of the Armenian media is provided by Article
24 of the Armenian Constitution guarantees to everyone the right to freedom of

9
speech, including, independent of state borders, the right to seek, receive and
disseminate information and ideas by any means of information communication.
However, freedom of speech can be restricted by law, if necessary, for the
protection of state and public security, public order, health and morality, and the
rights, freedoms, honor, and reputation of others.
There are at least eight independent FM radio stations based in Yerevan and one
such station in the second largest city of Gyumri. They confine their programming
largely to music and brief newscasts. State radio retransmits the daily programs of
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and the Voice of America.
According to official figures, 82 newspapers were published in Armenia as of April
2002. Of these, the government owns only a handful. The only state-owned national
daily, Hayastani Hanrapetutyun, has a circulation of 6,000 copies per issue. There
are also six privately owned national dailies that offer a wide variety of opinions.
Only one of them, Azg (3,000), is affiliated with a political party.
Source: Freedom House - Nations in Transit 2003 (edited)

10
4. Civil Service

As an essential part of State Governance Reforms, special importance is attached to

the regulation of civil service relations and implementation issues, especially to the
formation and development of the civil service system. With the Law on Civil Service
adopted in 2001, the Armenian Government intends to implement an efficient and
balanced personnel policy, to staff the state administration with well-qualified,
competent individuals with high moral values who are not dependent on changes in
the ratio of political forces. Civil servants (CS) will be provided with state guarantees
for legal and social security.
Source: UNDP - National Human Development Report 2001

In January 2002, President Kocharian appointed all seven members of the Civil
Service Council, which is supposed to ensure civil service independence by protecting
government employees against arbitrary dismissals. A provision in the Law on Civil
Service empowers the council to select staff for most government agencies and
regularly check the professional fitness of government officials. The council held the
first competition for vacant government posts in October 2002, selecting 55
members of its staff from a pool of 560 applicants. More such contests were held
later in the year 2002.
The government, meanwhile, restructured 15 different agencies by either merging
them into appropriate ministries or subordinating them directly to the prime
ministers office. According to Manuk Topuzian, chairman of a special government
commission overseeing the civil service reform, more than 1,000 government jobs
were slashed between January and June in 2002 as a result of the restructuring.
Source: Freedom House - Nations in Transit 2003 (edited)

4.1 Legal basis

The relationships connected with the Civil Service shall be regulated by the
Constitution of the Republic of Armenia, international agreements of the Republic of
Armenia, this law, the normative legal acts of the Civil Service Council, as well as by
other legal acts.
The labour relationships of the Civil Servants shall be regulated by the labour
legislation of the Republic of Armenia, if peculiarities regulating such relations are
not defined by the legislation on the Civil Service.
The service relationships among the Civil Servants shall be regulated by internal
labour disciplinary rules defined by the legislation.
Source: The Law of the Republic of Armenia on Civil Service

The Law on Civil Service, 2001 regulates in detail the regular checks of
correspondence of civil servants to the requirement of the position, defining
evaluation, testing and training systems. The rights of civil servants, their
responsibilities, the limitations applicable for them, the scope of obligations, as well
as specific provisions that refer to the mechanisms for appraisal/promotion,
disciplinary penalties and dismissal from the position are also envisaged. The law
establishes the bodies for management and organization of civil service - promoting
uniform civil service state policy, an independent body established by law - civil
service council and chiefs of staff from relevant institutions.
Source: UNDP - National Human Development Report 2001

11
4.2 Appointment
The law stipulates that all positions in civil service can be filled only with individuals
who are recognized as winners in open and transparent competition. The competition
will be conducted through tests and interviews by a steering commission formed for
this purpose. The specific job descriptions, which are considered a new practice in
the legal environment of Armenia, will define the clear scope of major requirements
and competences of the CS, as well as applicability area of the Law, classification of
positions, ranking of CS, appointment to positions, evaluation and training, waiting
lists, the legal status of CS, their appraisal and application of disciplinary penalties,
dismissal, as well as management and organization of the civil service and
assumption of civil service positions.
Source: UNDP - National Human Development Report 2001

4.3 Remuneration
According to the Poverty Reduction Paper for Armenia, Section 4, Chapter 11,
paragraph 469 the state budget 2003 incorporates, inter alia, the following measure
envisaged in the PRSP: As an important implementation modality of the civil service
reform and anti-corruption program, the salaries of civil servants, tax and customs
service staff will be increased by 78% in 2003;
Source: Government of the Republic of Armenia - Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper

4.4 Training
The Law on Civil Service specifies the Armenian School of Public Administration,
established with EU help in 1994 and strengthened by another EU project in 2001-
02, as the institution to deliver the preliminary round of training to civil servants.
Later, more flexibility on training providers was expected and allowed for. Within one
year these courses were underway and, as soon as allowed by the law, the Civil
Service Council opened up training contracts to other state institutions in the capital
and the regions.
Source: UNDP - Civil Service Training in the context of Public Administration Reform

According to the Law on Civil Service, Article 20:

training of the Civil Servant shall be held on the basis of the attestation results
of the Civil Servant, in case of changing the passport of the given Civil Service
Position, as well as by the initiative of the Civil Servant or the Chief of Staff on
basis of the application of the Chief of Staff;
every Civil Servant shall be subject to mandatory training at least once every
three years;
the expenses connected with the training of Civil Servants shall be made at the
expense of the resources of the state budget, as well as of other resources not
prohibited by the legislation of the Republic of Armenia;
the Civil Service Council shall approve the list of educational institutions
conducting training of Civil Servants and the training syllabus to be used by
those institutions for training of Civil Servants;
the Civil Service Council shall determine the procedure for conducting training
of Civil Servants on the basis of this law.
Source: The Law of the Republic of Armenia on Civil Service

12
4.5 Gender
The 2004 to 2010 National Plan of Action of the Republic of Armenia on the
Improvement of the Status of Women and the Enhancement of their Role in Society
defines basic policy elements for the Armenian government with respect to the
position of women in society. Its main goal is to fulfill Armenia's Constitutional
Provision on equal rights and opportunities for men and women.
Source: OSCE - Press Release (9/2003)

13
 5. Ethics and Civil Service

5.1 Corruption
2003 CPI Score relates to perceptions of the degree of corruption as seen by
business people and country analysts and ranges between 10 (highly clean) and 0
(highly corrupt).

Corruption Perceptions Index

90 percent
2003 CPI Surveys Standard High-Low Number
confidence
Score Used Deviation Range Inst.
range
Rank Country
1 Highly clean 9.7 8 0.3 9.2 - 10.0 4 9.5 - 9.9
78 Armenia 3.0 5 0.8 2.2 4.1 5 2.4 -3.6
133 Highly corrupt 1.3 8 0.7 0.3 - 2.2 6 0.9 - 1.7
Source: Transparency International - Corruption Perceptions Index 2003

Surveys Used: Refers to the number of surveys that were used to assess a country's performance. 17 surveys were
used and at least 3 surveys were required for a country to be included in the CPI.
Standard Deviation: Indicates differences in the values of the sources. Values below 0.5 indicate agreement, values
between 0.5 and c. 0.9 indicate some agreement, while values equal or larger than 1 indicate disagreement.
High-Low Range: Provides the highest and lowest values of the sources.
Number Institutions: Refers to the number of independent institutions that assessed a country's performance. Since
some institutions provided more than one survey.
90 percent confidence range: Provides a range of possible values of the CPI score. With 5 percent probability the score
is above this range and with another 5 percent it is below.

In light of the special importance of fighting corruption, a Steering Committee to

coordinate the anti-corruption program efforts of the Republic of Armenia
Government was established under Decree 44 of the Prime Minister dated January
22, 2001. The fight against corruption encompasses three main priorities:
1. Raising public awareness of the danger posed to society by corruption and its
consequences;
2. Preventing corruption; and
3. Ensuring the rule of law in order to protect the rights and legitimate interests of
individuals.
Under the first priority, it is necessary to highlight the elaboration of an anti-
corruption strategy, public awareness, the consolidation of civil society institutions in
the fight against corruption, and the role of the independent mass media.
Under the second priority, one should focus on the importance of the political will of
the authorities, improvements in the public administration system, ensuring public
participation in governance, intervention of the state in the societal process, and
adherence to codes of conduct by public officials.
Under the third priority, it is necessary to emphasize the role of a strong and
independent judiciary, the importance of streamlining and clarifying the legislative
framework, ensuring flawless enforcement of laws, protecting human rights, and
implementing the human rights' defender (ombudsman) institution.
Source: Republic of Armenia Anti-Corruption Strategy and Implementation Action Plan

14
A major public opinion survey on corruption released October 2002 in Armenia has
found that the overwhelming majority of those polled believe that corruption remains
a serious problem in the country.
The main goal of the survey was to identify public perceptions of corruption. It was
based on the questioning of 1,400 individuals, including 1,000 households, 200
businessmen and 200 public officials. The survey, which for the first time also
targeted public officials as respondents, was conducted throughout the country.
The survey was initiated by the non-governmental organizations Centre for Regional
Development/Transparency International Armenia, Civil Society Development Union
and 'Development Network', with the support of the OSCE. The study contributes to
actions taken by the Armenian Government to elaborate a national anti-corruption
strategy. It establishes a baseline against which to measure future changes and
provides an up-to-date picture of attitudes to corruption in Armenia.
According to the survey, the overwhelming majority of respondents believe that
corruption is a serious problem in Armenia. They did not relate its occurrence to the
gaining of independence; most of them mentioned that it became an issue either
before the formation of the USSR or during the Soviet period. Survey results
demonstrated that 95 per cent of households, 97 per cent of businesses and 93 per
cent of public officials thought that corruption in Armenia was mainly caused by the
state authorities. As for the causes of corruption, all the groups referred to poor law
enforcement and imperfect legislation and regulations.
The OSCE Office in Yerevan is co-ordinating an international task force to combat
corruption in Armenia. The main objective of the group represented by World Bank,
International Monetary Fund, the United Nations Development Programme, European
Commission, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Council of Europe, and the
British, German, French, US, Russian, Italian embassies is to assist the Government
in working out a detailed strategy and its implementation in combating corruption in
Armenia.
Source: OSCE - Press Release (Public Opinion on Corruption)

5.2 Ethics
The draft law on civil service (see chapter 4 on Civil Service) envisages the
development of the rules of ethics for a civil servant. In this case the initiative came
from an NGO, the Union of Armenian State Servants, which prepared a Code of
Ethics for civil servants as a basis for further elaboration.
An attempt to work out the rules of ethics for civil servants (CS) was made by the
Union of Armenian State Servants (NGO). The research-survey conducted in five
governors' offices was aimed at revealing the CS sentiments on the expedience and
importance of introducing CS rule of ethics (six sections on the whole). Out of the
189 surveyed, 72% are males of working age (25-55 years old), which is highly
typical of our governance system. The majority (72%) are convinced that the
introduction of the rules of ethics will significantly contribute to regulating the CS
activities.
1. The majority of the surveyed agrees that the civil service is a professional activity,
requiring that the CSs be guided by state interests, and adhere to decision making
and implementation mechanisms (1.1. provision of rules). CSs do not support the
idea of politicizing their work and unilaterally reject the possibility of non-
professional activity.

15
2. Out of the surveyed, 60% accept in principle that civil service is a voluntary
limitation of their freedoms rather than a system of privileges, however they (70%)
would not like to have limitations reinforced by law. The surveyed negatively
responded to a provision 1.5 of the rules, whereby outside of service, CS should
refrain from business contacts with persons who have problems with the authorities.
This provision needs reconsideration since the draft law, too, stipulates CS freedoms
outside of work and professional activity.
3. The surveyed fully support the realization of the principles of loyalty towards
political authorities, political discretion, adherence to requirements of the legislature,
honesty (Sections 2&3).
4. Due to the fact that today the performance of duties, especially service provision,
does not take place without "personal promises", Section 4 on agreeing and
disagreeing to the unacceptability of "personal promises" elicited sharply deviating
responses.
5. The requirements on the capability to perform professional work, team building
and teamwork are acceptable on the whole (Section 5 & 6). The issue of a further
political career after civil service is another concern. About half of the surveyed do
not agree with that provision, since positions in the government apparatus for many
have been seen traditionally as another step in the career ladder.
Source: UNDP - National Human Development Report 2001

16
 6. e-Government

e-Government 6.1 e-Government Readiness

Readiness Index:
e-Government Readiness Index
The index refers to the
generic capacity or
aptitude of the public 0.6
sector to use ICT for
encapsulating in public
0.5
services and deploying
to the public, high
quality information 0.4
(explicit knowledge) and
effective communication
0.3
tools that support
human development.
The index is comprised
0.2
of three sub-indexes:
Web Measure Index, 0.1
Telecommunications
Infrastructure Index and
0
Human Capital Index.

ey
n

us

ia

va
ia

e
ja

in
si
rg
en

rk
do
r

us
ai

a
la

eo

Tu
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kr
rb

ol
Be

U
Ar

M
e
Az

Web Measure Index:

A scale based on Source: United Nations World Public Sector Report 2003
progressively
sophisticated web
services present.
Coverage and
sophistication of state- Web Measure Index Telecom. Infrastructure Index Human Capital Index
provided e-service and
e-product availability
correspond to a 1
numerical classification.
0.9
0.8
Telecommunications 0.7
Infrastructure Index:
0.6
A composite, weighted
average index of six 0.5
primary indices, based 0.4
on basic infrastructural
indicators that define a 0.3
country's ICT infra- 0.2
structure capacity.
0.1
Primary indicators are:
PCs, Internet users, 0
online population and
ey
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n

s
a

ia

e
ru

ov
ija

n
i

si

Mobile phones.
rg
en

rk

ai
us
la
ba

d
eo

Tu

kr
m

ol
Be

Secondary indicators
R
er

U
Ar

M
Az

are TVs and telephone

lines.
Source: United Nations World Public Sector Report 2003

Human Capital Index:

A composite of the adult literacy rate and the combined primary, secondary and tertiary gross enrolment ratio, with two thirds of the weight
given to adult literacy and one third to the gross enrolment ratio.

17
e-Participation

6.2 e-Participatione-Participation Index

Index:
Refers to the willing-
ness, on the part of 0.4
the government, to
use ICT to provide 0.35
high quality informa-
0.3
tion (explicit know-
ledge) and effective 0.25
communication tools
for the specific 0.2
purpose of empower- 0.15
ring people for able
participation in 0.1
consultations and
decision-making both
0.05
in their capacity as 0
consumers of public

ey
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a
us

ne
n

va
i

si
ja

services and as
en

rg

rk
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ar

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eo
rm

kr
Tu
el
rb

ol
citizens.

R
B

U
G

M
A

ze
A

e-information: Source: United Nations World Public Sector Report 2003

The government
websites offer
information on
policies and e-information e-decision making e-consultation
programs, budgets,
laws and regulations,
9
and other briefs of
key public interest. 8
Tools for dissemi-
nating of information 7
exist for timely access
and use of public
6
information, including 5
web forums, e-mail
lists, newsgroups and 4
chat rooms.
3
2
e-decision making:
The government
1
indicates that it will 0
take citizens input
a
s

ey
va

e
a

a
n

si

into account in
ru

in
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en

rg

rk
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ra
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Ru
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ba

Tu

decision making and

m

ol
Be

Uk
Ar

G
er

provides actual
Az

feedback on the
outcome of specific
Source: United Nations World Public Sector Report 2003 d
issues.

e-consultation:
The government website explains e-consultation mechanisms and tools. It offers a choice of public policy topics online for discussion with
real time and archived access to audios and videos of public meetings. The government encourages citizens to participate in discussions.

18
 7. Links

7.1 National sites

Authority Topic
President of the Republic http://www.president.am/eng/
Prime Minister http://www.gov.am/en/gov/premier/

Government http://www.gov.am/en/
Structure of Government http://www.gov.am/en/gov/structure.html
Parliament http://www.parliament.am/

Ministry of Foreign Affairs http://www.armeniaforeignministry.com/

Ministry of State Property Management http://www.privatization.am/

Ministry of Transport and Communication http://www.mtc.am/

Constitutional Court http://www.concourt.am/

Central Electoral Commission http://www.elections.am/

National Statistical Service http://www.armstat.am/

7.2 Institutional sites

Institution Topic
Council of Europe http://www.coe.int
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
http://www.ebrd.com/country/country/armenia/index.htm
(EBRD)
European Union (EU) http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/armenia/...
International Labour Organization (ILO) http://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/natlex_browse.home
Organization for Security and Co-operation in
http://www.osce.org/yerevan/overview/
Europe (OSCE)
OSCE - legislation http://www.legislationline.org
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) http://www.undp.am/
World Bank (WB) http://lnweb18.worldbank.org/eca/armenia.nsf

19