Piotr Switalski comments on EU delegation grant embezzlements

The embezzlements of EU delegation grants in Armenia have been revealed by the EU delegation, head of the EU delegation Ambassador Piotr Switalski told a press conference on May 8.

“This speaks to the fact that the procedures and supervision mechanisms of the European Union work good,” the Ambassador said. According to him, these cases can even more enhance and deepen the Armenia-EU cooperation due to the close cooperation between Armenian detectives and detectives of the European Anti-Fraud Office.

“The EU delegation passed on information to our specialized structure. The European Anti-Fraud Office carried out its own, internal analysis on these cases, and made several conclusions. This speaks positively about such an independent anti-corruption body within the European Union,” the Ambassador said, adding that the structure can be an example for Armenia with its activities, so that an independent anti-corruption body is formed here as well, the work of which can be very productive and give necessary results.

Switalski added it is in the interests of both sides to seriously treat such incidents and signals, and make the Armenia-EU cooperation free from such developments. He mentioned that around 1 billion Euros is wasted in EU countries annually as result of corruption scandals, but the EU is open to speak about it, is decisive to ght against corruption, regardless what the source is.