ArmInfo. On July 14, Mary Galstyan, Deputy Chairperson of the RA NA Committee on European Integration, met with RA Deputy Minister of Finance Avag Avanesyan and Sergey Shahnazaryan, a representative of the Ministry.
As reported by the NA press service, the meeting focused on issues related to the implementation of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Armenia and the European Union (EU).
Mary Galstyan pointed out that the main objective of the committee is to efficiently implement CEPA within the framework of parliamentary control, and to enhance its public communication. In this regard, she also emphasized the importance of identifying any issues that have risen during the implementation of the agreement and outlined possible solutions for them.
Deputy Finance Minister Avag Avanesyan detailed reforms aimed at increasing the efficiency and transparency of procurement arising from the Agreement. This includes the process of digitalization of electronic procurement and the introduction of a digital platform. The results of the electronic platform will be summarized in July, with the initial launch of the digital platform scheduled within a year after the completion of the tender. Several reforms have been implemented in the field of public procurement to increase transparency, reduce corruption risks, reduce appeals, ensure equal opportunities and identify conflicts of interest. Compared to previous years, the number of purchases from one person has significantly decreased thanks to preventive measures. The importance of an independent quality control function for services provided through public procurement was emphasized. The participation of civil society in this process is crucial.
The issues that have arisen in the field of procurement, as well as reforms and rules adopted in the legislative field were also discussed. The main problems include the development of long-term and strategic planning capabilities in procurement management, and the large number of government agencies involved in procurement procedures, which unjustifiably burdens the system.
