EUROPAM

European Public Accountability Mechanisms

Armenia

Country score (European Average*)
  • 80(66) Political Financing
  • 82(53) Financial Disclosure
  • 34(37) Conflict of Interest
  • 80(59) Freedom of Information
  • 55(62) Public Procurement

Country Facts

IncomeLower middle
GNI per capita (2011 PPP $)8355.80
Population, total2924816.00
Urban population (% of total)62.56
Internet users (per 100 people)62.00
Life expectancy at birth (years)74.21
Mean years of schooling (years)11.3
Global Competitiveness Index4.2
Sources: World Bank, UNDP, WEF.

Political Financing

The law on Political Parties 2002, amended 2016, and the Electoral Code 2011, amended 2015, regulate party political financing in Armenia.

There are some restrictions on the income of political parties and candidates such as donations from corporations of partial government ownership and foreign interests. However, corporations and trade unions donors are not prohibited. Anonymous donations are allowed only to candidates and not to political parties. There are limits on donations but only for election campaigns.

Parties are entitled to public funding which is allocated according to the share of votes attained in the previous parliamentary election. There are few restrictions on how the party can utilise the public funding obtained. Additionally, parties are entitled to subsidized media access for pre-election campaigning.

There are regulations on spending such as bans on vote buying and a ban on the use of state resources being used in favour or against a political party. Candidates and parties are subject to limits on spending.

There are rules for parties and candidates to report on their finances. Reports are overseen by the Central Electoral Commission. There are sanctions in the form of fines, forfeiture and loss of candidature for breaches of the law. 

Quantitative Data

Primary Metric

20122015201620172020Trend
Bans and limits on private income6464646464
Public funding6262626262
Regulations on spending100100100100100
Reporting, oversight and sanctions9292929292

Values lie in range between 0 and 100, higher values implying higher legislation comprehensiveness

Qualitative Data

We are frequently reviewing and refining our data, so in case you notice any mistake in our assessment, feel free to send us an email by clicking the button ()

Bans and limits on private income

Bans on donations from foreign interests

Is there a ban on donations from foreign interests to political parties? Yes. Donations are not allowed from foreign states, foreign citizens and legal entities, as well as the participation of foreign legal entities, if foreign participation in shares, share, share of the entity's authorized (share, paid in) capital for more than 30%. (Art. 25 Provision 4(4) Law on Political Parties, 2002, amended 2016)
Is there a ban on donations from foreign interests to candidates? Yes. The ban is implicit rather than explicit. Candidates shall open a pre-election fund which shall be made up of (1) His personal funds; (2) Funds provided by the political party that nominated him; and (3) Voluntary contributions by persons having the right to vote. (Art. 25 Prov 2(1),(2),(3) Electoral Code, 2011, amended 2015)

Bans on corporate donations

Is there a ban on corporate donations to political parties? No. Political parties shall have the right to receive donations — in the form of property and monetary funds — from natural and legal persons. However, corporate donations cannot be given directly to a party's election fund.The pre-election fund of political parties shall be made up of (1) The funds of such political party, or, in case of an alliance of political parties - from the funds of the political parties that are members of the alliance; and (2) Voluntary contributions by persons having the right to vote. (Art. 24 Prov 7 Law on Political Parties, 2002, amended 2016 Art 25 Prov 3 Electoral Code, 2011, amended 2015)
Is there a ban on corporate donations to candidates? Yes. The ban is implicit rather than explicit. Candidates shall open a pre-election fund which shall be made up of (1) His personal funds; (2) Funds provided by the political party that nominated him; and (3) Voluntary contributions by persons having the right to vote. (Art. 25 Prov 2 Electoral Code, 2011, amended 2015)
Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to political parties? No. No specific mention of commercial contracts. Donations are not be allowed from: 2) State and local government budget or offbudget funds, except for the financing in accordance with Article 26 of this Law; 3) nonprofit organizations and state and local governmental organizations and community participation. (Art. 24 Prov 4 (2) (3) Law on Political Parties, 2002, amended 2016 )
Is there a ban on donations from corporations of partial government ownership to political parties? Yes. No specific mention of commercial contracts. Donations are not be allowed from: 2) State and local government budget or offbudget funds, except for the financing in accordance with Article 26 of this Law; 3) nonprofit organizations and state and local governmental organizations and community participation. (Art. 24 Prov 4 (2) (3) Law on Political Parties, 2002, amended 2016 )
Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to candidates? Yes. Candidate funds are partly derived from the party. If donations are banned with regards to companies with commercial contracts with the government then they will be also banned to candidates by implication. Candidates shall open a pre-election fund which shall be made up of (1) His personal funds; (2) Funds provided by the political party that nominated him; and (3) Voluntary contributions by persons having the right to vote. (Art. 25 Prov 2 Electoral Code, 2011, amended 2015)
Is there a ban on donations from corporations of partial government ownership to candidates? Yes. As candidates election funds are derived partly from party funds (who are banned from taking such donations) then the ban applies to candidates by implication. Candidates shall open a pre-election fund which shall be made up of (1) His personal funds; (2) Funds provided by the political party that nominated him; and (3) Voluntary contributions by persons having the right to vote. (Art. 24 Prov 4 (2) (3) Law on Political Parties, 2002, amended 2016 Art. 25 Prov 2 Electoral Code, 2011, amended 2015)

Bans on donations from trade unions

Is there a ban on donations from Trade Unions to political parties? No. The law does not appear to prohibit such donations. 1. Parties have the right to property, including cash, including loans, repayment of debt by a third party to receive donations from individuals and legal entities, except as provided for in Article 4 hereunder. (Art. 24 Prov 1 Law on Political Parties, 2002, amended 2016 Art 25 Prov 3 Electoral Code, 2011, amended 2015)
Is there a ban on donations from Trade Unions to candidates? Yes. The pre-election fund of a candidate shall be made up of: (1) His personal funds; (2) Funds provided by the political party that nominated him; and (3) Voluntary contributions by persons having the right to vote; (Article 25 Provs 2 & 3 Electoral Code, 2011, amended 2015)

Bans on anonymous donations

Is there a ban on anonymous donations to political parties? Yes. Donations shall not be allowed from (7) anonymous persons. (Art. 24 Prov 4(7) Law on Political Parties, 2002, amended 2016)
Is there a ban on anonymous donations to candidates? No. The pre-election fund of a candidate shall be made up of: (1) His personal funds; (2) Funds provided by the political party that nominated him; and (3) Voluntary contributions by persons having the right to vote; It does not appear that voluntary contributions in (3) must not be anonymous (although funds from the party would have been subject to those restrictions). (Art. 25 Prov 2 Electoral Code, 2011, amended 2015)

Other bans on donations

Is there a ban on state resources being given to or received by political parties or candidates (excluding regulated public funding)? No. For the financing of elections - 'The state budget shall finance the expenditures of organizing and conducting elections (including the compilation of lists of voters and the organization of professional training courses on conducting elections), as well as the expenditures necessary for the operation of the electoral commissions. Such expenditures shall be envisaged by a separate budget line in the state budget and shall be included in one line in the Plan of Procurements for State Needs.' For state funding generally - 'State funding of political parties shall be made at the expense of the funds of the State Budget of the Republic of Armenia. Funds from the State Budget of the Republic of Armenia for funding of political parties shall be allocated under a separate budget item.' (Art. 23 Prov 1 Electoral Code, 2011, amended 2015 Art. 26 Law on Political Parties, 2002, amended 2016)
Is there a ban on any other form of donation? Yes. 1) charitable and religious organizations, as well as their participation in organizations. 5) international organizations. 6) stateless persons. (Art. 24 Prov 4(1),(5) & (6) Law on Political Parties, 2002, amended 2016)

Donation limits

Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party over a time period (not election specific)? No. Contribution limits only exist for election campaigns
Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party in relation to an election? Yes. Each natural person may make a voluntary contribution to the pre-election fund of a candidate, a political party, or an alliance of political parties in the amount of up to 100-fold the minimum salary. (Art 122, Prov 3 Electoral Code, 2011, amended 2015)
Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a candidate? Yes. Each natural person may make a voluntary contribution to the pre-election fund of a candidate, a political party, or an alliance of political parties in the amount of up to 100-fold the minimum salary. (Art 122, Prov 3 Electoral Code, 2011, amended 2015)

Public funding 

Eligibility criteria for direct public funding to political parties

Eligibility criteria for direct public funding to political parties: Share of votes in previous election Yes. 4% of the Vote in the last parliamentary election (Art 26, Prov 2 Law on Political Parties, 2002, amended 2016)
Eligibility criteria for direct public funding to political parties: Representation in elected body No. Absent from legal framework.
Eligibility criteria for direct public funding to political parties: Participation in election No. Absent from legal framework.
Eligibility criteria for direct public funding to political parties: Number of candidates No. Absent from legal framework.
Eligibility criteria for direct public funding to political parties: Share of seats in previous election No. Absent from legal framework.
Eligibility criteria for direct public funding to political parties: Share of votes in next election No. The law prescribes for the last election rather than next election (Art 26, Prov 2 Law on Political Parties, 2002, amended 2016)
Eligibility criteria for direct public funding to political parties: Registration as a political party No. Absent from legal framework.
Eligibility criteria for direct public funding to political parties: Share of seats in next election No. Absent from legal framework.
Eligibility criteria for direct public funding to political parties: Number of members No. Absent from legal framework.
Eligibility criteria for direct public funding to political parties: Other No. Absent from legal framework.

Allocation calculations for direct public funding to political parties

Allocation calculations for direct public funding to political parties: Proportional to votes received Yes. 4% of the Vote in the last parliamentary election (Art 26, Prov 2 Law on Political Parties, 2002, amended 2016)
Allocation calculations for direct public funding to political parties: Equal No. Absent from legal framework.
Allocation calculations for direct public funding to political parties: Proportional to seats received No. Absent from legal framework.
Allocation calculations for direct public funding to political parties: Flat rate by votes received No. Absent from legal framework.
Allocation calculations for direct public funding to political parties: Share of expenses reimbursed No. Absent from legal framework.
Allocation calculations for direct public funding to political parties: Proportional to candidates fielded No. Absent from legal framework.
Allocation calculations for direct public funding to political parties: Number of members No. Absent from legal framework.
Allocation calculations for direct public funding to political parties: Other Yes. 3. State budget funds allocated to the party (party alliance) electoral list of the National Assembly in the last election received at least three percent of the total votes cast in favor of candidates of all political parties and electoral lists and the number of inaccuracies. (Art.26 (3) Law on Political Parties, 2002, amended 2016)

Earmarking provisions for direct public funding to political parties

Earmarking provisions for direct public funding to political parties: Campaign spending No. Absent from legal framework.
Earmarking provisions for direct public funding to political parties: Ongoing party activities No. Absent from legal framework.
Earmarking provisions for direct public funding to political parties: Intra-party institution No. Absent from legal framework.
Earmarking provisions for direct public funding to political parties: Other No. Absent from legal framework.

Allocation criteria for free or subsidized access to media for political parties

Allocation criteria for free or subsidized access to media for political parties: Equal Yes. Only election related - 1. Candidates for the President of the Republic, as well as political parties and political party alliances participating in elections shall have the right to use air time of the Public Radio and Public Television (including by live transmission) on equal grounds, free of charge, and for pay. (Art 19, Prov 1 Electoral Code, 2011, amended 2015)
Allocation criteria for free or subsidized access to media for political parties: Number of candidates No. Absent from legal framework.
Allocation criteria for free or subsidized access to media for political parties: Share of seats No. Absent from legal framework.
Allocation criteria for free or subsidized access to media for political parties: Share of votes in preceding election No. Absent from legal framework.
Allocation criteria for free or subsidized access to media for political parties: Other No. Absent from legal framework.
Are there provisions for free or subsidized access to media for candidates? Yes. Only candidates for the President (Art 19, Prov 1 Electoral Code, 2011, amended 2015)

Are there provisions for any other form of indirect public funding?

Provisions for any other form of indirect public funding: Premises for campaign meetings Yes. Free pre-election campaigning shall be safeguarded by state government and local self-government bodies by means of providing halls and other premises for pre-election meetings, meetings of voters with candidates, and other election-related events. They shall be provided to candidates, as well as political parties and political party alliances participating in elections under the proportional electoral system on equal grounds and free of charge in accordance with the procedure prescribed by the Central Electoral Commission. 2) provide, on their own premises, means of communication, including the right to use the primary parties involved in the distribution of seats in the National Assembly elections. (Art 18, Prov 2 Electoral Code, 2011, amended 2015 Art 25, Prov 1(2) Law on Political Parties, 2002, amended 2016)
Provisions for any other form of indirect public funding: Space for campaign materials No. Absent from legal framework.
Provisions for any other form of indirect public funding: Tax relief No. Absent from legal framework.
Provisions for any other form of indirect public funding: Free or subsidised transport No. Absent from legal framework.
Provisions for any other form of indirect public funding: Free or subsidised postage cost No. Absent from legal framework.
Provisions for any other form of indirect public funding: Other No. Absent from legal framework.
Is the provision of direct public funding to political parties related to gender equality among candidates? No. Absent from legal framework.
Are there provisions for other financial advantages to encourage gender equality in political parties? No. Absent from legal framework.

Regulations on spending 

Is there a ban on vote buying? Yes. During the pre-election campaign, as well as on the day preceding the voting and on the voting day, candidates, political parties, and political party alliances shall be prohibited from giving (promising), in person or via someone else acting on their behalf or in any other manner, gratuitously or on preferential terms, any money, food, securities, or goods to voters, or from providing (promising) services to voters. Charitable organizations whose names may resemble (be associated with) the names of political parties or political party alliances or the names of candidates may not, during the pre-election campaign, carry out charitable activities in communities in which there are elections with the participation of such candidates or political parties or political party alliances or candidates nominated by them (Art 18, Prov 7 Electoral Code, 2011, amended 2015)
Are there bans on state resources being used in favour or against a political party or candidate? Yes. 6. The following shall be prohibited from conducting pre-election campaigning and disseminating any campaign materials: (1) State government bodies and local self-government bodies, as well as state and municipal servants, and the pedagogical staff of educational institutions during the performance of their duties; (2) Members of the Constitutional Court, judges, prosecutors, officers serving in the Police, the National Security Service, and penitentiary institutions, as well as military servicemen; and (3) Members of electoral commissions. Art 19. The Public Radio and the Public Television shall be obliged to ensure non-discriminatory conditions for candidates, as well as political parties and political party alliances participating in elections under the proportional electoral system. Art 20 - It shall be prohibited to post campaign posters on buildings occupied by state government bodies or local self-government bodies, on or inside public catering or trading facilities and on or inside public transportation means, irrespective of the form of ownership. Further (Art 22) Candidates holding political, discretionary, or civil positions, as well as candidates that are state or municipal servants shall conduct the pre-election campaigns subject to a number of restrictions such as urging voters to vote for a certain candidate. (Art 18, Prov 6 Electoral Code, 2011, amended 2015 Art 19, Prov 3 Electoral Code, 2011, amended 2015 Art 20, Prov 2 Electoral Code, 2011, amended 2015 Art 22, Prov 1 Electoral Code, 2011, amended 2015)
Are there limits on the amount a political party can spend? Yes. An amount not exceeding 100000 fold of the minimum salary (Art 122, Prov 4 Electoral Code, 2011, amended 2015)
Are there limits on the amount a candidate can spend? Yes. Not exceeding 100000 fold of the minimum salary for the candidates for the President; not exceeding 10000 fold of the salary for a candidatefor deputy (Art 88, Prov 4 Electoral Code, 2011, amended 2015 Art 122, Prov 4 Electoral Code, 2011, amended 2015 )

Reporting, oversight and sanctions 

Reporting standards

Do political parties have to report regularly on their finances? Yes. 1. The parties state agencies to submit reports on the financial and accounting procedures and time frames established by the legislation for legal entities. 2. A party shall each year, not later than March 25 following the reporting year, the media published the report on party unding sources and expenditures, as well as of the fiscal year (the report) and the auditor's report as prescribed by law as well as the procedure established by the Republic of Armenia public notices posted on the official website. 3. By its report in the mass media of the Republic of Armenia after the publication of public notices posted on the official website of the accounting year must report no later than 1 April following the publication of the evidence and the evidence of the Oversight and Audit Service of the Central Election Commission (hereinafter referred to as Control Audit service). (Art 27, Provs 1 - 3 Law on Political Parties, 2002, amended 2016)
Do political parties have to report on their finances in relation to election campaigns? Yes. (Art 25). Banks in which special temporary accounts have been opened shall submit a statement of revenues and expenditures of pre-election funds of candidates, political parties, and alliances of political parties to the Oversight and Audit Service of the Central Electoral Commission once every three working days after the end of the time limit prescribed by this Code for the registration of candidates or electoral lists of political parties or political party alliances. The Oversight and Audit Service shall summarize such data, compile a brief statement, and post it on the website of the Central Electoral Commission. (Art 27) Candidates, political parties, and political party alliances shall submit to the Oversight and Audit Service of the Central Electoral Commission a declaration on the contributions made to their pre-election funds and the use thereof. (Art 27, Prov 6 Law on Political Parties, 2002, amended 2016 Article 27, Prov 1 Electoral Code, 2011, amended 2015 Art 25, Prov 7 Electoral Code, 2011, amended 2015)
Do candidates have to report on their campaign finances? Yes. (Art 25). Banks in which special temporary accounts have been opened shall submit a statement of revenues and expenditures of pre-election funds of candidates, political parties, and alliances of political parties to the Oversight and Audit Service of the Central Electoral Commission once every three working days after the end of the time limit prescribed by this Code for the registration of candidates or electoral lists of political parties or political party alliances. The Oversight and Audit Service shall summarize such data, compile a brief statement, and post it on the website of the Central Electoral Commission. (Art 27) Candidates, political parties, and political party alliances shall submit to the Oversight and Audit Service of the Central Electoral Commission a declaration on the contributions made to their pre-election funds and the use thereof (Article 27, Prov 1 Electoral Code, 2011, amended 2015 Art 25, Prov 7 Electoral Code, 2011, amended 2015)
Is information in reports from political parties and/​or candidates to be made public? Yes. 2. A party shall each year, not later than March 25 following the reporting year, the media published the report on party funding sources and expenditures, as well as of the fiscal year (the report) and the auditor's report as prescribed by law as well as the procedure established by the Republic of Armenia public notices posted on the official website. 3. By its report in the mass media of the Republic of Armenia after the publication of public notices posted on the official website of the accounting year must report no later than 1 April following the publication of the evidence and the evidence of the Oversight and Audit Service of the Central Election Commission (hereinafter referred to as Control Audit service). (Art 27, Prov 2-3 Law on Political Parties, 2002, amended 2016 Art 27, Prov 4 Electoral Code, 2011, amended 2015)
Must reports from political parties and/​or candidates reveal the identity of donors? No. Legal entities shall specify all data (requisites) required by the rules of non-cash settlements between legal entities. No specification about the obligation to reveal donors identities (Central Election Comission , Decision N53-N August 11, 2011)
Institutions receiving financial reports from political parties and/​or candidates
Institutions receiving financial reports from political parties and/​or candidates: Electoral Management Board Yes. Oversight and Audit Service established by the Central Electoral Comission State authorized body (Article 28 paragraph (1) and (2), Electoral Code, 2011, amended 2015)
Institutions receiving financial reports from political parties and/​or candidates: Auditing agency No. Absent from legal framework.
Institutions receiving financial reports from political parties and/​or candidates: Ministry No. Absent from legal framework.
Institutions receiving financial reports from political parties and/​or candidates: Special institution No. Absent from legal framework.
Institutions receiving financial reports from political parties and/​or candidates: Court No. Absent from legal framework.
Institutions receiving financial reports from political parties and/​or candidates: Other Yes. Oversight and Audit Service established by the Central Electoral Comission State authorized body ( Articles 27 paragraph (1) and 28 paragraph (1) and (2), Electoral Code, 2011, amended 2015)

Political finance oversight

Is it specified that a particular institution(s) is responsible for examining financial reports and/​or investigating violations?
Institution responsible for examining financial reports and/or investigating violations: Court No. Absent from legal framework.
Institution responsible for examining financial reports and/or investigating violations: Ministry No. Absent from legal framework.
Institution responsible for examining financial reports and/or investigating violations: Auditing agency Yes. 1. The Central Electoral Commission shall establish an Oversight and Audit Service to supervise the use of resources provided to electoral commissions and to the staff of the Central Electoral Commission, the contributions made to pre-election funds, and the accounting and spending of such contributions. (Article 28 (1-2) Electoral Code, 2011, amended 2015)
Institution responsible for examining financial reports and/or investigating violations: Electoral Management Body Yes. Oversight and Audit Service established by the Central Electoral Comission (Article 28 Electoral Code, 2011, amende 2015)
Institution responsible for examining financial reports and/or investigating violations: Institution for this purpose No. Absent from legal framework.
Institution responsible for examining financial reports and/or investigating violations: Other No. Absent from legal framework.
Other institutions with a formal role in political finance oversight
Institutions with a formal role in political finance oversight: Court No. Absent from legal framework.
Institutions with a formal role in political finance oversight: Ministry No. Absent from legal framework.
Institutions with a formal role in political finance oversight: Auditing agency Yes. Oversight and Audit Service established by the Central Electoral Comission (Article 28 Electoral Code, 2011, amended 2015)
Institutions with a formal role in political finance oversight: EMB Yes. Oversight and Audit Service established by the Central Electoral Comission (Article 28 (1-2); Article 28 (6) Electoral Code, 2011, amended 2015)
Institutions with a formal role in political finance oversight: Institution for this purpose No. Absent from legal framework.
Institutions with a formal role in political finance oversight: Other No. Absent from legal framework.
Sanctions for political finance infractions
Sanctions for political finance infractions: Fines Yes. 4. If it is substantiated that the expenditures made for the pre-election campaign of a candidate, a political party, or an alliance of political parties have exceeded the maximum limit of the pre-election fund prescribed by this Code, the electoralcommission shall render a decision to oblige the candidate, political party, or alliance of political parties to transfer to the state budget an amount that is thrice the amount by which the maximum limit of the pre-election fund prescribed under this Code has been exceeded. (Article 25(6); Article 26(3-5) Electoral Code, 2011, amended 2015)
Sanctions for political finance infractions: Loss of public funding No. Absent from legal framework.
Sanctions for political finance infractions: Penal/Criminal No. Absent from legal framework.
Sanctions for political finance infractions: Forfeiture Yes. 4. If it is substantiated that the expenditures made for the pre-election campaign of a candidate, a political party, or an alliance of political parties have exceeded the maximum limit of the pre-election fund prescribed by this Code, the electoralcommission shall render a decision to oblige the candidate, political party, or alliance of political parties to transfer to the state budget an amount that is thrice the amount by which the maximum limit of the pre-election fund prescribed under this Code has been exceeded.
Sanctions for political finance infractions: Deregistration of party Yes. 5. If the difference between the amount spent for the pre-election campaign and the amounts paid to the state budget under Parts 3 and 4 of this Article and the maximum limit of the pre-election fund prescribed by this Code exceeds 10 percent of the maximum limit of the pre-election fund prescribed by this Code, the court shall, upon an application of the electoral commission, repeal the registration of the respective candidate or electoral list of the respective political party or political party alliance. (Article 26 (5) Electoral Code, 2011, amended 2015)
Sanctions for political finance infractions: Loss of elected office No. Absent from legal framework.
Sanctions for political finance infractions: Suspension of political party No. Absent from legal framework.
Sanctions for political finance infractions: Loss of nomination of candidate Yes. 5. If the difference between the amount spent for the pre-election campaign and the amounts paid to the state budget under Parts 3 and 4 of this Article and the maximum limit of the pre-election fund prescribed by this Code exceeds 10 percent of the maximum limit of the pre-election fund prescribed by this Code, the court shall, upon an application of the electoral commission, repeal the registration of the respective candidate or electoral list of the respective political party or political party alliance. (Article 25(6); Article 26(3-5) Electoral Code, 2011, amended 2015)
Sanctions for political finance infractions: Loss of political rights No. Absent from legal framework.
Sanctions for political finance infractions: Other No. Absent from legal framework.

Legislation

Law on Political Parties, 2002, amended 2016 (Armenian)pdf
Electoral Code, 2011, amended 2015 (Armenian)pdf

*Last update: 2017

Financial Disclosure

The Armenian Law on Declaration of Assets and Incomes of Physical Persons (2006, amended in 2016) foresees a basic set of disclosure requirements for all public officials. Head of State, Ministers, Members of Parliament, must disclose real estate, movable assets, cash, debts, income from outside employment and shares in public or private companies. Additionally, the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2016) specifies that including family members in asset disclosures is required from Ministers, who must also disclose conflicts of interests they face during decision-making, and submit a list of connected persons along with disclosure statements. Head of State, MPs, Ministers make statements annually.

High-level public officials face a fine for submitting delayed statements after having received a warning, for not providing a declaration at all. The taxation body functions as both depository and enforcement body for the Head of State and MPs, whilst no verifying bodies are specified. All the while, Ministers submit declarations to the Ethics Commission, which also verifies submissions and enforces sanctions. Asset declarations by the Head of State and MPs may only be accessed by specific media providers and published upon authorization of the declarer. The Ethics Commission however publishes all disclosure statements by Ministers via mass media.

Quantitative Data

Primary Metric

20122015201620172020Trend
Disclosure items8057578585
Filing frequency623838100100
Sanctions10000100100
Monitoring and Oversight505656100100
Public access to declarations7575755025

Alternative Metric

20122015201620172020Trend
Head of State6560608782
Ministers8261618782
Members of Parliament6560608782
Civil servants82008782

Values lie in range between 0 and 100, higher values implying higher legislation comprehensiveness

Qualitative Data

We are frequently reviewing and refining our data, so in case you notice any mistake in our assessment, feel free to send us an email by clicking the button ()

Head of State

Disclosure items

Spouses and children included in disclosure Yes. Persons belonging to the family of the senior official, his spouse, minor child (including adopted), the person under the guardianship or guardianship of the declaring official, any person residing with the declarant official (Article 32.4 of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))
Income and Assets
Real estate Yes. Immovable property must be disclosed. (Article 34.1 (1) of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))
Movable assets Yes. All movable assets must be disclosed. (Article 34.1 (2) of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))
Cash Yes. Shares, securities and monetary assets must be disclosed. (Article 34.1 (6) of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))
Loans and Debts Yes. Borrowings (loans) received must be disclosed. (Article 34.1 (4) of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))
Income from outside employment/assets Yes. All forms of income received must be disclosed. (Article 35 of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))
Incompatibilities
Gifts received as a public official Yes. If the property non-consumer gift referred to in paragraphs 1 to 3 of this Article exceeds 100.000 Armenian drams in its value, 1) a superior public servant or senior official with the consent of his supervisor, and the non-superior shall, upon his / her own initiative, provide the gift to charity, or (2) that gift is deemed to be the property of the relevant body and is inventoried as such. If the gift referred to in paragraphs 1 to 3 of this Article, but not provided for in paragraph 3 of this Article, exceeds 100.000 Armenian drams, the superior public servant or senior official shall notify his superior (Article 29 of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))
Private firm ownership and/or stock holdings Yes. The following revenues shall be subject to declaration in the Republic of Armenia in drams, foreign currency or in kind (non-monetary)income from entrepreneurial activity (Article 35 of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))
Ownership of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) No. Absent from legal framework.
Holding government contracts No. Absent from legal framework.
Board member, advisor, or company officer of private firm Yes. The following revenues shall be subject to declaration in the Republic of Armenia in drams, foreign currency or in kind (non-monetary)income from entrepreneurial activity (Article 35 of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))
Post-employment No. Absent from legal framework.
Simultaneously holding policy-making position and policy-executing position No. Absent from legal framework.
Participating in official decision-making processes that affect private interests Yes. In the event of a conflict of interest, a high-ranking official, except for deputies, members of the Constitutional Court, judges and prosecutors as well as a superior official who does not have a higher position within the meaning of this Law, is obliged to submit to his superior person a written statement on conflict of interest, presenting the specific circumstances : Prior to obtaining a written consent from a superior person, a high-ranking official does not have the right to act or make a decision on the matter. The superior person has the right to discuss and resolve the issue by another official, unless this is prohibited by law. (Article 31 of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))
Concurrent employment of family members in public sector Yes.  Income declaration of other persons referred to in Article 32 (4) of this Law, included in the composition of the plaintiff, his spouse and his family, shall include income derived from this Article and sources of their receipt in the tax year (Article 35 of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))

Filing frequency

Filing required upon taking office Yes. High-level officials are required to present the declaration of conflicts of interest to the ethics commission as of the day of appointment to and termination of the office, within 15 days following the day of appointment and termination. (Article 33 of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2015))
Filing required upon leaving office Yes. High-level officials are required to present the declaration of conflicts of interest to the ethics commission as of the day of appointment to and termination of the office, within 15 days following the day of appointment and termination. (Article 33 of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2015))
Filing required annually Yes. An annual declaration of assets and incomes must be submitted every year no later than February 15. (Article 33 of Law of Public Service (2011, amended in 2016))
Ad hoc filing required upon change in assets or conflicts of interest Yes. In case of conflict of interest a high-level official must present a written statement of COI to the supervisor disclosing the nature of the interest. (Article 31.1 of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2015))

Sanctions

Sanctions stipulated for late filing (fines, administrative, and/or criminal) Yes. In cases of late filing, a warning will apply. (Article 169.28 (1) of the RA Code on Administrative Violations (1985, amended in 2016))
Sanctions stipulated for non-filing (fines, administrative, and/or criminal) Yes. If the declaration is not submitted within 30 days after the warning, a fine will apply. (Article 169.28 (2) of the RA Code on Administrative Violations (1985, amended in 2016))
Sanctions stipulated for false disclosure (fines, administrative, and/or criminal) Yes. In cases of providing false information, a fine will apply. (Article 169.28 (5) of the RA Code on Administrative Violations (1985, amended in 2016))

Monitoring and Oversight

Depository body explicitly identified Yes. The Corruption Prevention Commission (Art.25 of the Corruption Prevention Commission Act, 2017)
Enforcement body explicitly identified Yes. The Corruption Prevention Commission (Art.25 (1) of the Corruption Prevention Commission Act, 2017)
Some agency assigned responsibility for verifying submission Yes. The Corruption Prevention Commission shall verify the requirements and the submission of the declarations (Art.25 (1) of the Corruption Prevention Commission Act, 2017)
Some agency assigned responsibility for verifying accuracy Yes. The Corruption Prevention Commission shall verify the reliability and integrity of declared data (Art.25 (2) of the Corruption Prevention Commission Act, 2017)

Public access to declarations

Public availability Yes. Corruption Prevention Commission (Art.24 of the Corruption Prevention Commission Act, 2017)
Timing of information release specified No . Absent from legal framework.
Location(s) of access specified No. Absent from legal framework.
Cost of access specified No. Absent from legal framework.

Ministers

Disclosure items

Spouses and children included in disclosure Yes. Persons belonging to the family of the senior official, his spouse, minor child (including adopted), the person under the guardianship or guardianship of the declaring official, any person residing with the declarant official (Article 32.4 of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))
Income and Assets
Real estate Yes. Immovable property must be disclosed. (Article 34.1 (1) of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))
Movable assets Yes. All movable assets must be disclosed. (Article 34.1 (2) of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))
Cash Yes. Shares, securities and monetary assets must be disclosed. (Article 34.1 (6) of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))
Loans and Debts Yes. Borrowings (loans) received must be disclosed. (Article 34.1 (4) of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))
Income from outside employment/assets Yes. All forms of income received must be disclosed. (Article 35 of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))
Incompatibilities
Gifts received as a public official Yes. If the property non-consumer gift referred to in paragraphs 1 to 3 of this Article exceeds 100.000 Armenian drams in its value, 1) a superior public servant or senior official with the consent of his supervisor, and the non-superior shall, upon his / her own initiative, provide the gift to charity, or (2) that gift is deemed to be the property of the relevant body and is inventoried as such. If the gift referred to in paragraphs 1 to 3 of this Article, but not provided for in paragraph 3 of this Article, exceeds 100.000 Armenian drams, the superior public servant or senior official shall notify his superior (Article 29 of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))
Private firm ownership and/or stock holdings Yes. The following revenues shall be subject to declaration in the Republic of Armenia in drams, foreign currency or in kind (non-monetary)income from entrepreneurial activity (Article 35 of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))
Ownership of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) No. Absent from legal framework.
Holding government contracts No. Absent from legal framework.
Board member, advisor, or company officer of private firm Yes. The following revenues shall be subject to declaration in the Republic of Armenia in drams, foreign currency or in kind (non-monetary)income from entrepreneurial activity (Article 35 of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))
Post-employment No. Absent from legal framework.
Simultaneously holding policy-making position and policy-executing position No. Absent from legal framework.
Participating in official decision-making processes that affect private interests Yes. In the event of a conflict of interest, a high-ranking official, except for deputies, members of the Constitutional Court, judges and prosecutors as well as a superior official who does not have a higher position within the meaning of this Law, is obliged to submit to his superior person a written statement on conflict of interest, presenting the specific circumstances : Prior to obtaining a written consent from a superior person, a high-ranking official does not have the right to act or make a decision on the matter. The superior person has the right to discuss and resolve the issue by another official, unless this is prohibited by law. (Article 31 of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))
Concurrent employment of family members in public sector Yes.  Income declaration of other persons referred to in Article 32 (4) of this Law, included in the composition of the plaintiff, his spouse and his family, shall include income derived from this Article and sources of their receipt in the tax year (Article 35 of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))

Filing frequency

Filing required upon taking office Yes. High-level officials are required to present the declaration of conflicts of interest to the ethics commission as of the day of appointment to and termination of the office, within 15 days following the day of appointment and termination. (Article 33 of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2015))
Filing required upon leaving office Yes. High-level officials are required to present the declaration of conflicts of interest to the ethics commission as of the day of appointment to and termination of the office, within 15 days following the day of appointment and termination. (Article 33 of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2015))
Filing required annually Yes. High-level officials are required to present the declaration of conflicts of interest to the ethics commission during their office as of December 31 of each year, not later than February of the following year. An annual declaration of assets and incomes must be submitted every year no later than April 15. (Article 33 of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2015) )
Ad hoc filing required upon change in assets or conflicts of interest Yes. In case of conflict of interest a high-level official must present a written statement of COI to the supervisor disclosing the nature of the interest. (Article 31.1 of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2015))

Sanctions

Sanctions stipulated for late filing (fines, administrative, and/or criminal) Yes. In cases of late filing, a warning will apply. (Article 169.28 (1) of the RA Code on Administrative Violations (1985, amended in 2016))
Sanctions stipulated for non-filing (fines, administrative, and/or criminal) Yes. If the declaration is not submitted within 30 days after the warning, a fine will apply. (Article 169.28 (2) of the RA Code on Administrative Violations (1985, amended in 2016))
Sanctions stipulated for false disclosure (fines, administrative, and/or criminal) Yes. In cases of providing false information, a fine will apply. (Article 169.28 (5) of the RA Code on Administrative Violations (1985, amended in 2016))

Monitoring and Oversight

Depository body explicitly identified Yes. The Corruption Prevention Commission (Art.25 of the Corruption Prevention Commission Act, 2017)
Enforcement body explicitly identified Yes. The Corruption Prevention Commission (Art.25 (1) of the Corruption Prevention Commission Act, 2017)
Some agency assigned responsibility for verifying submission Yes. The Corruption Prevention Commission shall verify the requirements and the submission of the declarations (Art.25 (1) of the Corruption Prevention Commission Act, 2017)
Some agency assigned responsibility for verifying accuracy Yes. The Corruption Prevention Commission shall verify the reliability and integrity of declared data (Art.25 (2) of the Corruption Prevention Commission Act, 2017)

Public access to declarations

Public availability Yes. Corruption Prevention Commission (Art.24 of the Corruption Prevention Commission Act, 2017)
Timing of information release specified No . Absent from legal framework.
Location(s) of access specified No. Absent from legal framework.
Cost of access specified No. Absent from legal framework.

Members of Parliament

Disclosure items

Spouses and children included in disclosure Yes. Persons belonging to the family of the senior official, his spouse, minor child (including adopted), the person under the guardianship or guardianship of the declaring official, any person residing with the declarant official (Article 32.4 of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))
Income and Assets
Real estate Yes. Immovable property must be disclosed. (Article 34.1 (1) of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))
Movable assets Yes. All movable assets must be disclosed. (Article 34.1 (2) of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))
Cash Yes. Shares, securities and monetary assets must be disclosed. (Article 34.1 (6) of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))
Loans and Debts Yes. Borrowings (loans) received must be disclosed. (Article 34.1 (4) of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))
Income from outside employment/assets Yes. All forms of income received must be disclosed. (Article 35 of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))
Incompatibilities
Gifts received as a public official Yes. If the property non-consumer gift referred to in paragraphs 1 to 3 of this Article exceeds 100.000 Armenian drams in its value, 1) a superior public servant or senior official with the consent of his supervisor, and the non-superior shall, upon his / her own initiative, provide the gift to charity, or (2) that gift is deemed to be the property of the relevant body and is inventoried as such. If the gift referred to in paragraphs 1 to 3 of this Article, but not provided for in paragraph 3 of this Article, exceeds 100.000 Armenian drams, the superior public servant or senior official shall notify his superior (Article 29 of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))
Private firm ownership and/or stock holdings Yes. The following revenues shall be subject to declaration in the Republic of Armenia in drams, foreign currency or in kind (non-monetary)income from entrepreneurial activity (Article 35 of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))
Ownership of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) No. Absent from legal framework.
Holding government contracts No. Absent from legal framework.
Board member, advisor, or company officer of private firm Yes. The following revenues shall be subject to declaration in the Republic of Armenia in drams, foreign currency or in kind (non-monetary)income from entrepreneurial activity (Article 35 of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))
Post-employment No. Absent from legal framework.
Simultaneously holding policy-making position and policy-executing position No. Absent from legal framework.
Participating in official decision-making processes that affect private interests Yes. In the event of a conflict of interest, a high-ranking official, except for deputies, members of the Constitutional Court, judges and prosecutors as well as a superior official who does not have a higher position within the meaning of this Law, is obliged to submit to his superior person a written statement on conflict of interest, presenting the specific circumstances : Prior to obtaining a written consent from a superior person, a high-ranking official does not have the right to act or make a decision on the matter. The superior person has the right to discuss and resolve the issue by another official, unless this is prohibited by law. (Article 31 of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))
Concurrent employment of family members in public sector Yes.  Income declaration of other persons referred to in Article 32 (4) of this Law, included in the composition of the plaintiff, his spouse and his family, shall include income derived from this Article and sources of their receipt in the tax year (Article 35 of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))

Filing frequency

Filing required upon taking office Yes. High-level officials are required to present the declaration of conflicts of interest to the ethics commission as of the day of appointment to and termination of the office, within 15 days following the day of appointment and termination. (Article 33 of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2015))
Filing required upon leaving office Yes. High-level officials are required to present the declaration of conflicts of interest to the ethics commission as of the day of appointment to and termination of the office, within 15 days following the day of appointment and termination. (Article 33 of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2015))
Filing required annually Yes. High-level officials are required to present the declaration of conflicts of interest to the ethics commission during their office as of December 31 of each year, not later than February of the following year. An annual declaration of assets and incomes must be submitted every year no later than April 15. (Article 33 of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2015) )
Ad hoc filing required upon change in assets or conflicts of interest Yes. In case of conflict of interest a high-level official must present a written statement of COI to the supervisor disclosing the nature of the interest. (Article 31.1 of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2015))

Sanctions

Sanctions stipulated for late filing (fines, administrative, and/or criminal) Yes. In cases of late filing, a warning will apply. (Article 169.28 (1) of the RA Code on Administrative Violations (1985, amended in 2016))
Sanctions stipulated for non-filing (fines, administrative, and/or criminal) Yes. If the declaration is not submitted within 30 days after the warning, a fine will apply. (Article 169.28 (2) of the RA Code on Administrative Violations (1985, amended in 2016))
Sanctions stipulated for false disclosure (fines, administrative, and/or criminal) Yes. In cases of providing false information, a fine will apply. (Article 169.28 (5) of the RA Code on Administrative Violations (1985, amended in 2016))

Monitoring and Oversight

Depository body explicitly identified Yes. The Corruption Prevention Commission (Art.25 of the Corruption Prevention Commission Act, 2017)
Enforcement body explicitly identified Yes. The Corruption Prevention Commission (Art.25 (1) of the Corruption Prevention Commission Act, 2017)
Some agency assigned responsibility for verifying submission Yes. The Corruption Prevention Commission shall verify the requirements and the submission of the declarations (Art.25 (1) of the Corruption Prevention Commission Act, 2017)
Some agency assigned responsibility for verifying accuracy Yes. The Corruption Prevention Commission shall verify the reliability and integrity of declared data (Art.25 (2) of the Corruption Prevention Commission Act, 2017)

Public access to declarations

Public availability Yes. Corruption Prevention Commission (Art.24 of the Corruption Prevention Commission Act, 2017)
Location(s) of access specified No. Absent from legal framework.
Cost of access specified No. Absent from legal framework.

Civil servants

Disclosure items

Spouses and children included in disclosure Yes. Persons belonging to the family of the senior official, his spouse, minor child (including adopted), the person under the guardianship or guardianship of the declaring official, any person residing with the declarant official (Article 32.4 of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))
Income and Assets
Real estate Yes. Immovable property must be disclosed. (Article 34.1 (1) of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))
Movable assets Yes. All movable assets must be disclosed. (Article 34.1 (2) of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))
Cash Yes. Shares, securities and monetary assets must be disclosed. (Article 34.1 (6) of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))
Loans and Debts Yes. Borrowings (loans) received must be disclosed. (Article 34.1 (4) of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))
Income from outside employment/assets Yes. All forms of income received must be disclosed. (Article 35 of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))
Incompatibilities
Gifts received as a public official Yes. If the property non-consumer gift referred to in paragraphs 1 to 3 of this Article exceeds 100.000 Armenian drams in its value, 1) a superior public servant or senior official with the consent of his supervisor, and the non-superior shall, upon his / her own initiative, provide the gift to charity, or (2) that gift is deemed to be the property of the relevant body and is inventoried as such. If the gift referred to in paragraphs 1 to 3 of this Article, but not provided for in paragraph 3 of this Article, exceeds 100.000 Armenian drams, the superior public servant or senior official shall notify his superior (Article 29 of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))
Private firm ownership and/or stock holdings Yes. The following revenues shall be subject to declaration in the Republic of Armenia in drams, foreign currency or in kind (non-monetary)income from entrepreneurial activity (Article 35 of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))
Ownership of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) No. Absent from legal framework.
Holding government contracts No. Absent from legal framework.
Board member, advisor, or company officer of private firm Yes. The following revenues shall be subject to declaration in the Republic of Armenia in drams, foreign currency or in kind (non-monetary)income from entrepreneurial activity (Article 35 of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))
Post-employment No. Absent from legal framework.
Simultaneously holding policy-making position and policy-executing position No. Absent from legal framework.
Participating in official decision-making processes that affect private interests Yes. In the event of a conflict of interest, a high-ranking official, except for deputies, members of the Constitutional Court, judges and prosecutors as well as a superior official who does not have a higher position within the meaning of this Law, is obliged to submit to his superior person a written statement on conflict of interest, presenting the specific circumstances : Prior to obtaining a written consent from a superior person, a high-ranking official does not have the right to act or make a decision on the matter. The superior person has the right to discuss and resolve the issue by another official, unless this is prohibited by law. (Article 31 of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))
Concurrent employment of family members in public sector Yes.  Income declaration of other persons referred to in Article 32 (4) of this Law, included in the composition of the plaintiff, his spouse and his family, shall include income derived from this Article and sources of their receipt in the tax year (Article 35 of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2020))

Filing frequency

Filing required upon taking office Yes. High-level officials are required to present the declaration of conflicts of interest to the ethics commission as of the day of appointment to and termination of the office, within 15 days following the day of appointment and termination. (Article 33 of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2015))
Filing required upon leaving office Yes. High-level officials are required to present the declaration of conflicts of interest to the ethics commission as of the day of appointment to and termination of the office, within 15 days following the day of appointment and termination. (Article 33 of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2015))
Filing required annually Yes. High-level officials are required to present the declaration of conflicts of interest to the ethics commission during their office as of December 31 of each year, not later than February of the following year. An annual declaration of assets and incomes must be submitted every year no later than April 15. (Article 33 of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2015) )
Ad hoc filing required upon change in assets or conflicts of interest Yes. In case of conflict of interest a high-level official must present a written statement of COI to the supervisor disclosing the nature of the interest. (Article 31.1 of the Law on Public Service (2011, amended in 2015))

Sanctions

Sanctions stipulated for late filing (fines, administrative, and/or criminal) Yes. In cases of late filing, a warning will apply. (Article 169.28 (1) of the RA Code on Administrative Violations (1985, amended in 2016))
Sanctions stipulated for non-filing (fines, administrative, and/or criminal) Yes. If the declaration is not submitted within 30 days after the warning, a fine will apply. (Article 169.28 (2) of the RA Code on Administrative Violations (1985, amended in 2016))
Sanctions stipulated for false disclosure (fines, administrative, and/or criminal) Yes. In cases of providing false information, a fine will apply. (Article 169.28 (5) of the RA Code on Administrative Violations (1985, amended in 2016))

Monitoring and Oversight

Depository body explicitly identified Yes. The Corruption Prevention Commission (Art.25 of the Corruption Prevention Commission Act, 2017)
Enforcement body explicitly identified Yes. The Corruption Prevention Commission (Art.25 (1) of the Corruption Prevention Commission Act, 2017)
Some agency assigned responsibility for verifying submission Yes. The Corruption Prevention Commission shall verify the requirements and the submission of the declarations (Art.25 (1) of the Corruption Prevention Commission Act, 2017)
Some agency assigned responsibility for verifying accuracy Yes. The Corruption Prevention Commission shall verify the reliability and integrity of declared data (Art.25 (2) of the Corruption Prevention Commission Act, 2017)

Public access to declarations

Public availability Yes. Corruption Prevention Commission (Art.24 of the Corruption Prevention Commission Act, 2017)
Location(s) of access specified No. Absent from legal framework.
Cost of access specified No. Absent from legal framework.

Legislation

Code on Administrative Violations of 1985_ARM (Armenian)pdf
Law on the Civil Service of 2018_ARM (Armenian)pdf
Corruption Prevention Commission Act of 2017_ARM (Armenian)pdf

*Last update: 2017

Conflict of Interest

No restrictions exist concerning conflicts of interests for the Armenian Head of State. The Constitution of the Republic of Armenia (1995, last amended 2015) foresees that Ministers and Members of Parliament generally avoid conflicts of interests. It also prevents them from engaging in entrepreneurial activities in private or public firms, including holding advisory functions or carrying out government contracts. In addition, the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly (2002, last amended 2016) prevents MPs from voting on a matter in which they have a private interest and from being guided by interests of family members. For Civil Servants, the Law on Civil Service (2001, last amended 2014) does not provide a general restriction on conflicts of interests. It prevents Civil Servants from accepting gifts, owning shares in companies of over 10%, performing paid employment, as well as taking up employment with an organization over which they had immediate control during tenure for one year after leaving Civil Service. Moreover, civil Servants must not work together with close relatives. Instead, no restrictions exist concerning the participation of Civil Servants in decisions affecting private interests.

The Armenian law specifies administrative sanctions for conflict of interests violating behavior are imposed to both MPs and Civil Servants. The latter may be also subject to fines. No monitoring or oversight body exists for the Head of State or Ministers. The National Assembly Ethics Committee and the Civil Service Council perform these functions for MPs and Civil Servants respectively.

Quantitative Data

Primary Metric

20122015201620172020Trend
Restrictions4873804248
Sanctions1725252517
Monitoring and Oversight3888883838

Alternative Metric

20122015201620172020Trend
Head of State0576000
Ministers2357601723
Members of Parliament3354585133
Civil servants7979797279

Values lie in range between 0 and 100, higher values implying higher legislation comprehensiveness

Qualitative Data

We are frequently reviewing and refining our data, so in case you notice any mistake in our assessment, feel free to send us an email by clicking the button ()

Head of State

Restrictions

General restriction on conflict of interest No. Absent from legal framework. (General)
Accepting gifts No. Absent from legal framework. (General)
Private firm ownership and/or stock holdings No. Absent from legal framework. (General)
Ownership of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) No. Absent from legal framework. (General)
Holding government contracts No. Absent from legal framework. (General)
Board member, advisor, or company officer of private firm No. Absent from legal framework. (General)
Post-employment No. Absent from legal framework. (General)
Simultaneously holding policy-making position and policy-executing position No. Absent from legal framework. (General)
Participating in official decision-making processes that affect private interests No. Absent from legal framework. (General)
Assisting family or friends in obtaining employment in public sector No. Absent from legal framework. (General)

Sanctions

Fines are stipulated for violations of COI regulations restricting behavior No. Absent from legal framework. (General)
Administrative sanctions are stipulated for violations of COI regulations restricting behavior No. Absent from legal framework. (General)
Penal sanctions are stipulated for violations of COI regulations restricting behavior No. Absent from legal framework. (General)

Monitoring and Oversight

Monitoring body specified (guidance, training, data tracking) No. Absent from legal framework. (General)
Enforcement body specified (sanctions, hearings) No. Absent from legal framework. (General)

Ministers

Restrictions

General restriction on conflict of interest No. Absent from legal framework. (General)
Accepting gifts No. Absent from legal framework. (General)
Private firm ownership and/or stock holdings Yes. Ministers are prohibited from engaging in entrepreneurial activities in general. (Article 88 of the Constitution (1995))
Ownership of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) Yes. Ministers are prohibited from engaging in entrepreneurial activities in general. (Article 88 of the Constitution (1995))
Holding government contracts Yes. Ministers are prohibited from engaging in entrepreneurial activities in general. (Article 88 of the Constitution (1995))
Board member, advisor, or company officer of private firm Yes. There are restrictions on private employment by the members of the Government, besides academic, pedagogical and creative activities. (Article 88 of the Constitution (1995))
Post-employment No. Absent from legal framework. (General)
Simultaneously holding policy-making position and policy-executing position Yes. Ministers are prohibited from holding positions as executing public officials (e.g., civil servant, judge, prosecutor). The restrictions apply to holding an office not connected with the official’s duties. (Article 88 of the Constitution (1995))
Participating in official decision-making processes that affect private interests Yes. Ministers are prohibited from participating in decisions that can lead to an increase in the income, improvement of property, or legal status of the respective official or commercial/non-commercial entity in which the official has the shares. (Article 30.2 of the Law on Public Service (2011) )
Assisting family or friends in obtaining employment in public sector Yes. High officials are prohibited from taking actions that can lead to the appointment of connected persons to office or to participation in his/her organization. (Article 30.2 of the Law on Public Service (2011) )

Sanctions

Fines are stipulated for violations of COI regulations restricting behavior No. Absent from legal framework. (General)
Administrative sanctions are stipulated for violations of COI regulations restricting behavior No. Absent from legal framework. (General)
Penal sanctions are stipulated for violations of COI regulations restricting behavior No. Absent from legal framework. (General)

Monitoring and Oversight

Monitoring body specified (guidance, training, data tracking) No. Absent from legal framework. (General)
Enforcement body specified (sanctions, hearings) No. Absent from legal framework. (General)

Members of Parliament

Restrictions

General restriction on conflict of interest No. Absent from legal framework. (General)
Accepting gifts No. Absent from legal framework. (General)
Private firm ownership and/or stock holdings Yes. There are restrictions on the engagement of MPs in entrepreneurial activities in general. (Article 65 of Constitution (1995) Article 8 of Law on Rules of Procuedure of the National Assembly (2002))
Ownership of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) Yes. There are restrictions on the engagement of MPs in entrepreneurial activities in general. (Article 65 of Constitution (1995) Article 8 of Law on Rules of Procuedure of the National Assembly (2002))
Holding government contracts Yes. There are restrictions on the engagement of MPs in entrepreneurial activities in general. (Article 65 of Constitution (1995) Article 8 of Law on Rules of Procuedure of the National Assembly (2002))
Board member, advisor, or company officer of private firm Yes. There are restrictions on the engagement of MPs in entrepreneurial activities in general and holding an office in commercial organizations. (Article 65 of Constitution (1995) Article 8 of Law on Rules of Procuedure of the National Assembly (2002))
Post-employment No. Absent from legal framework. (General)
Simultaneously holding policy-making position and policy-executing position Yes. MPs are prohibited from also holding positions as executing public officials. (Article 65 of Constitution (1995) Article 8 of Law on Rules of Procuedure of the National Assembly (2002))
Participating in official decision-making processes that affect private interests No. Absent from legal framework. (General)
Assisting family or friends in obtaining employment in public sector No. Absent from legal framework. (General)

Sanctions

Fines are stipulated for violations of COI regulations restricting behavior No. Absent from legal framework. (General)
Administrative sanctions are stipulated for violations of COI regulations restricting behavior No. Absent from legal framework.
Penal sanctions are stipulated for violations of COI regulations restricting behavior No. Absent from legal framework. (General)

Monitoring and Oversight

Monitoring body specified (guidance, training, data tracking) No. Absent from legal framework. (General)
Enforcement body specified (sanctions, hearings) Yes. The National Assembly Ethics Committee is responsible for making determinations on violations of conflict of interest by Members of Parliament. (Article 24.2 Law of the Republic of Armenia on Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly (2002, last amended 2014))

Civil servants

Restrictions

General restriction on conflict of interest No. Absent from legal framework. (General)
Accepting gifts Yes. General (Article 24 Law on Civil Service (2001))
Private firm ownership and/or stock holdings Yes. There are restrictions on the engagement of civil servants in entrepreneurial activities, which may exclude participation in private firm ownership through a proxy-representative. There are also restrictions on stock ownership by civil servants in private companies. Passage of stocks to entrusted management within one month of appointment to civil service position if his/her share is 10% or above is allowed. (Article 24 Law on Civil Service (2001))
Ownership of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) Yes. There are restrictions on the engagement of civil servants in entrepreneurial activities, which may exclude participation in private firm ownership through a proxy-representative. There are also restrictions on stock ownership by civil servants in private companies. Passage of stocks to entrusted management within one month of appointment to civil service position if his/her share is 10% or above is allowed. (Article 24 Law on Civil Service (2001))
Holding government contracts Yes. There are restrictions on the engagement of civil servants in entrepreneurial activities, which may exclude participation in government contracts through a proxy-representative. (Article 24 Law on Civil Service (2001))
Board member, advisor, or company officer of private firm Yes. There are restrictions on the engagement of civil servants in entrepreneurial activities, which could be inferred to include participation as a board member. (Article 24 Law on Civil Service (2001))
Post-employment Yes. There are restrictions on post-employment for civil servants. (Article 24 Law on Civil Service (2001))
Simultaneously holding policy-making position and policy-executing position No. Absent from legal framework. (General)
Participating in official decision-making processes that affect private interests No. Absent from legal framework. (General)
Assisting family or friends in obtaining employment in public sector Yes. Civil servants are banned from involvement in the employment of family members in government positions where they are under the supervision of one another. (Article 24 Law on Civil Service (2001) )

Sanctions

Fines are stipulated for violations of COI regulations restricting behavior Yes. Fines are applied for failure to submit the gifts received by the state servant in his offical capacity to the state. (Article 166 of the RA Code of Administrative Violations (1985))
Administrative sanctions are stipulated for violations of COI regulations restricting behavior Yes. Civil servants are subject to removal from office for failure to maintain the restrictions on conflict of interest. (Article 33 Law on Civil Service (2001))
Penal sanctions are stipulated for violations of COI regulations restricting behavior No. Absent from legal framework. (Criminal Code (2003))

Monitoring and Oversight

Monitoring body specified (guidance, training, data tracking) Yes. The Civil Service Council is responsible for tracking data submitted by Civil Servants. (Article 37 Republic of Armenia Law on Civil Service (2001, last amended 2008))
Enforcement body specified (sanctions, hearings) Yes. The Civil Service Council (Article 37 Republic of Armenia Law on Civil Service (2001, last amended 2008))

Legislation

Constitution of the Republic of Armenia of 1995, as amended in 2005 (Armenian)pdf
Law on Guarantees of the Activities of a Deputy of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia of 2016 (Armenian)pdf
Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly of 2016 (Armenian)pdf
Code on Administrative Violations of 1985 (Armenian)pdf
Law on the Civil Service (Armenian)pdf

*Last update: 2017

Freedom of Information

Access to information in Armenia is governed by the Law on Freedom of Information (2003), which applies to the executive, judicial and legislative branches of government, as well as organizations financed from the state budget. Armenia is one of the few countries in Europe to also require certain private sector organizations to release information under its FOI law.

Specific exemptions to disclosure are outlined in the aforementioned FOI law, the Law on State and Official Secrets (1996), and the Law on Personal Data (2002). No public interest test exists whereby exemptions to disclosure may be overridden in cases where disclosure of information benefits the public interest.

Appeals are accepted in the first instance at public bodies covered under the FOI law, and may also be filed with the courts. There is no independent non-judicial appeals mechanism, such as an information commissioner.

Fines can be levied on officials for failure to provide information, while criminal and administrative sanctions are applied towards officials specifically for violations concerning journalists and environmental information. However, there is no enforcement body specified by law with the mandate to apply sanctions.

Each government agency is responsible for ensuring its own compliance with the FOI laws, as there is no oversight body to manage implementation. However, public bodies are required to disclose data to the public on requests and appeals received.

Quantitative Data

Primary Metric

20122015201620172020Trend
Scope and Coverage93828282100
Information access and release100100100100100
Exceptions and Overrides6767676767
Sanctions for non-compliance100100100100100
Monitoring and Oversight3333333333

Values lie in range between 0 and 100, higher values implying higher legislation comprehensiveness

Qualitative Data

We are frequently reviewing and refining our data, so in case you notice any mistake in our assessment, feel free to send us an email by clicking the button ()

Scope and Coverage

Scope of disclosure

Existence of legal right to access Yes. Everyone shall have the right to receive information and get familiar with documents relating to the activities of state and local self-government bodies and officials. The right to receive information may be restricted only by law, for the purpose of protecting public interests or the basic rights and freedoms of others. (Article 51, Constitution of Armenia, 1995 (amended 2020))
"Information" or "Documents" is defined Yes. Information - records/data of facts, people, subjects, events, phenomena, processes that are received and formed as defined by legislation, despite of the way those are possessed or their material carrier (electronic or hard copy documents, records, videos, films, photos, drawings, schemes, notes, maps, etc.) (Article 3 of the Law on Freedom of Information, 2003)
Proactive disclosure is specified Yes. If it is not otherwise foreseen by the Constitution and/or the Law, information holder at least once a year publicize specific information related to his activity and or changes to it. (Article 7 of the Law on Freedom of Information, 2003)

Coverage of public and private sectors

Executive branch Yes. This law applies to the activity of the state and local self-government bodies, state offices, organizations financed from the state budget, as well as private organizations of public importance and their state officials. (Article 1 of the Law on Freedom of Information, 2003)
Legislative branch Yes. This law applies to the activity of the state and local self-government bodies, state offices, organizations financed from the state budget, as well as private organizations of public importance and their state officials. (Article 1 of the Law on Freedom of Information, 2003)
Judicial branch Yes. This law applies to the activity of the state and local self-government bodies, state offices, organizations financed from the state budget, as well as private organizations of public importance and their state officials. (Article 1 of the Law on Freedom of Information, 2003)
Other public bodies Yes. This law applies to the activity of the state and local self-government bodies, state offices, organizations financed from the state budget, as well as private organizations of public importance and their state officials. Organization of public importance - private organizations that have monopoly or a leading role in the goods market, as well as those providing services to public in the sphere of health, sport, education, culture, social security, transport, communication and communal services. (Articles 1 and 3 of the Law on Freedom of Information, 2003)
Private sector Yes. This law applies to the activity of the state and local self-government bodies, state offices, organizations financed from the state budget, as well as private organizations of public importance and their state officials. Organization of public importance - private organizations that have monopoly or a leading role in the goods market, as well as those providing services to public in the sphere of health, sport, education, culture, social security, transport, communication and communal services. (Articles 1 and 3 of the Law on Freedom of Information, 2003)

Access to specific documents (subject to reactive and/or proactive disclosure)

Draft legal instruments Yes. Draft legislative acts are subject to public discussion, except for the draft law on ratification (accession) of an international treaty. (Article 3 of the Law on Legal Acts, 2018, amended 2020)
Enacted legal instruments Yes. All legal instruments (laws, decrees, regulations, subsidiary legislation) are subject to official promulgation in corresponding state, agency and community newsletters. The administrative acts are required to be publicized by the administrative bodies adopting it in their official newletters or through dissemination by mass media. (Articles 28-29 of the Law on Legal Acts, 2018, amended 2020 Articles 58 and 59 of the Law on Fundamentals of Administrative Proceedings, 2004, amended 2020)
Annual budgets Yes. The public entity is required once a year to publicize information on its budget. (Article 7 of the Law on Freedom of Information, 2003)
Annual chart of accounts (actual expenditures) Yes. To ensure the publicity of development, discussion and approval of the draft state budget, implementation of the state budget law, and verification thereof: a) within three days after presentation of the state budget bill to the National Assembly, the Cabinet publishes the draft, with exception of the articles containing state secret; b) discussions on the draft state budget in the National Assembly are elucidated by mass media sources; c) the quarterly plan of state budget implementation is published within 15 days after being confirmed by the Cabinet; d) within one month after the end of each quarter, the Cabinet published information on quarterly implementation of the state budget. (Article 26 of the Law on the Budgetary System of the Republic of Armenia 1997)
Annual reports of public entities and programs Yes. The public entity is required once a year to publicize information on its activities and services. (Article 7 of the Law on Freedom of Information, 2003)

Information access and release

Procedural access

Universal access (agencies, citizens and non-citizens) Yes. Foreign citizens can enjoy the rights and freedoms foreseen by the following law as defined by the Republic of Armenia Law and/or in cases defined by international treaties. A written inquiry must be signed to include applicant´s name, last name, citizenship, place of residence, work or study (in case of legal persons: name, physical address). (Articles 6 and 9 of the Law on Freedom of Information, 2003)
Type of request is specified (written, electronic, oral) Yes. Oral requests and written requests are accepted if they meet the requirements of the Article. (Article 9 of the Law on Freedom of Information, 2003)
Assistance to requesters must be provided by law (includes barriers due to language differences, illiteracy, complexity of requests, etc.) Yes. Person responsible for the Freedom of information according to the law: a) ensures that the responsibilities of the information holder in the field of FOI are exercised; b) explains thoroughly the procedures, conditions and forms of providing information to the person seeking information; (Article 13 of the Law on Freedom of Information, 2003)
Cost of access is specified (free, request fees, photocopying costs, other administrative costs) Yes. No fees shall be applied for response to specific cases among which are oral inquires, printed or copied information does not exceed 10 pages, information provided through e-mail or internet, etc. The organizations of public importance establish the fees for the information provided by them, which cannot exceed the costs of providing the information. No fees shall be applied towards the applicant upon whose inquiry the corrected information is provided by the organization, which earlier gave incomplete or false information. (Article 10 of the Law on Freedom of Information, 2003)

Deadlines for release of information

20-day response deadline Yes. Answer to written inquiry is provided within 5 days (includes either providing the information requested if not published before or place and time of the publication) or advising within 5 days that additional time will be required, which cannot exceed 30 days. (Article 9 of the Law on Freedom of Information, 2003)
Agency granted right to extend response time Yes. If additional work is required to provide requested information, response time is extended up to 30 days along with a written notice to the applicant (provided within 5 days of submitting the request) informing about the reasons for delay and the final deadline when the information will be provided. (Article 9 of the Law on Freedom of Information, 2003)
Maximum total response time of no more than 40 days Yes. If additional work is required to provide requested information, response time is extended up to 30 days along with a written notice to the applicant (provided within 5 days of submitting the request) informing about the reasons for delay and the final deadline when the information will be provided. (Article 9 of the Law on Freedom of Information, 2003)

Exceptions and Overrides

Exemptions to disclosure

Existence of secrecy/states secrets law Yes. Law on State and Official Secrets, 1996, amended 2014 (Law on State and Official Secrets, 1996, amended 2020)
Existence of personal privacy/data law Yes. Law on Data Protection, 2015 (Law on Data Protection, 2015, amended 2019)
Specific exemptions to disclosure Yes. Specific exemptions to coverage are provided. Information is exempt from disclosure if it implicates one the following categories: state, official, bank, or trade secrets; an individual’s privacy; investigations; or copyrights and related rights. (Article 8 of the Law on Freedom of Information, 2003 Article 2, Law on State and Official Secrets, 1996, amended 2020)
Public Interest test: Specified exemptions to disclosure may be overridden in cases where disclosure of information benefits the public interest.

Appeals

Appeals allowed within public entities Yes. The right and procedure for appeal to administrative and judicial bodies exists. (Article 11 of the Law on Freedom of Information, 2003 Articles 69 and 70 of the Law on Fundamentals of Administrative Proceedings, 2004, amended 2020)
Independent, non-judicial appeals mechanism, e.g., information commissioner. Does not include Ombudsman unless appeals decisions are binding. No. Absent from legal framework.
Judicial appeals mechanism Yes. There is a mechanism for appeal through the court system. The right and procedure for appeal to administrative and judicial bodies exists. (Article 11 of the Law on Freedom of Information, 2003 Articles 69 and 70 of the Law on Fundamentals of Administrative Proceedings, 2004, amended 2020)

Sanctions for non-compliance

Administrative sanctions are specified for violations of disclosure requirements Yes. Certain administrative sanctions are provided specifically for FOI violations concerning journalists and environmental information. A violator risks not being able to hold a certain post or practice certain professional activities for a period of time ranging from 2 to 6 years, depending upon the violation and consequences thereof. (Articles 164 and 282 of the Criminal Code, 2003)
Fines are specified for violations of disclosure requirements Yes. Fines are levied on officials for the failure to provide information. Frst-time violations merit fines ranging between 10 and 50 times minimum salaries. For second-time violations committed within one year of initial sanctions, fines range between 50 and 100 times minimal salaries. Different types of FOI violations merit different fines. These criminal fines range between 50 to 400 times minimum salaries, depending upon the type of violation. (Article 1897 of the Administrative Violations Code, 1996, amended 2020 Articles 148, 164 and 282 of the Criminal Code, 2003)
Criminal sanctions are specified for violations of disclosure requirements Yes. Criminal sanctions are applied towards officials specifically for FOI violations concerning journalists and environmental information. Possible criminal sanctions include imprisonment for up to 3 years for hindering journalists’ professional activities; and imprisonment for 2 to 5 years for certain violations concerning environmental catastrophes. (Articles 164 and 282 of the Criminal Code, 2003)

Monitoring and Oversight

Information officers must be appointed in public agencies Yes. Public entities are required to appoint an official responsible for information freedom. (Articles 12 and 13 of the Law on Freedom of Information, 2003 )
Public body that is responsible for applying sanctions No. The person with authority and responsibility that is required to ensure compliance with the FOI law is the head of the entity that holds the information or an official appointed by him/her. (Article 13 of the Law on Freedom of Information, 2003)
Public body that is responsible for public outreach (raising public awareness) No. Absent from legal framework.
Nodal agency for RTI (implementation support/compliance within public sector). Does not include Ombudsman. No. Absent from legal framework.
Ombudsman involvement in implementation is specified by law No. Absent from legal framework.
Reporting of data and/or implementation is required Yes. If it is not otherwise foreseen by the Constitution and/or the Law, information holder at least once a year publicize the following information related to his activity and or changes to it; j) list of held (maintained) information and the procedures of providing it, j 1. statistical and complete data on inquiries received, including grounds for refusal to provide information; (Article 7 of the Law on Freedom of Information, 2003 )

Legislation

Amendment of 2020_ARM, Constitution of 1995 (Armenian)pdf
Constitution of the Republic of Armenia of 1995_ARM (Armenian)pdf
Law on Freedom of Information of 2003_ARM (Armenian)pdf
Law on State and Official Secrets of 1996_ARM (Armenian)pdf
Law on Fundamentals of Administrative Procedure of 2004_ARM (Armenian)pdf
Law on Data Protection of 2015_ARM (Armenian)pdf
Law on Legal Acts of 2018_ARM (Armenian)pdf
Law on the Budgetary System of 1997_ARM (Armenian)pdf
Code on Administrative Violations of 1985_ARM (Armenian)pdf
Criminal Code of 2003_ARM (Armenian)pdf

*Last update: 2017

Public Procurement

The Armenian public procurement system is regulated by the Law on Procurement 2011 and several additional government Decrees (regulating the procurement process, prequalification etc.) The public procurement regulatory body is the Public Procurement Methodology Department located under the Ministry of Finance.

The lowest minimum threshold for conducting a public procurement tender is:

▪         AMD 1 million (ca. EUR 1950) for goods, works and services

There is no minimum requirement on the number of bidders. The minimum submission period is 40 days for open procedures and 40 days for restricted procedures from dispatch date, but there is no indication of a minimum submission period for negotiated procedures. The final beneficial owners do not have to be disclosed when placing a bid.

There is no preferential treatment based on SME status or any other special consideration. Furthermore, there is no rule on automatic bid exclusion based on bid prices, etc.

In the bid evaluation phase, there are conflict of interest restrictions on the composition of the evaluation committee. However, no form of independence of the contracting authority is mandated for the evaluation committee.

There is no payable fee in case of an arbitration procedure, and the decisions are publicly released.

Quantitative Data

Primary Metric

20122015201620172020Trend
Scope99999999
Information availability35352222
Evaluation81818181
Open competition56503636
Institutional arrangements36364336

Values lie in range between 0 and 100, higher values implying higher legislation comprehensiveness

Qualitative Data

We are frequently reviewing and refining our data, so in case you notice any mistake in our assessment, feel free to send us an email by clicking the button ()

Scope

Threshold - lowest PP

What is the minimum contract value above which the public procurement law is applied? (Product type GOODS) AMD 1000000. (Law on Procurement 2016 (as amended in 2018), Articles 23 (1)(4), 2(21))
What is the minimum contract value above which the public procurement law is applied? (Product type WORKS) AMD 1000000. (Law on Procurement 2016 (as amended in 2018), Articles 23 (1)(4), 2(21))
What is the minimum contract value above which the public procurement law is applied? (Product type SERVICES) AMD 1000000. (Law on Procurement 2016 (as amended in 2018), Articles 23 (1)(4), 2(21))

Threshold - by PP type

What are the minimum application thresholds for the procurement type? (Entity: PUBLIC SECTOR) AMD 1000000. (Law on Procurement 2016 (as amended in 2018), Articles 23 (1)(4), 2(21))
What are the minimum application thresholds for the procurement type? (Entity: UTILITIES) AMD 1000000. (Law on Procurement 2016 (as amended in 2018), Articles 23 (1)(4), 2(21))
What are the minimum application thresholds for the procurement type? (Entity: DEFENCE) AMD 1000000. (Law on Procurement 2016 (as amended in 2018), Articles 23 (1)(4), 2(21))

Threshold - by product type

What are the minimum application thresholds for the procurement type? (Product type GOODS) AMD 1000000. (Law on Procurement 2016 (as amended in 2018), Articles 23 (1)(4), 2(21))
What are the minimum application thresholds for the procurement type? (Product type WORKS) AMD 1000000. (Law on Procurement 2016 (as amended in 2018), Articles 23 (1)(4), 2(21))
What are the minimum application thresholds for the procurement type? (Product type SERVICES) AMD 1000000. (Law on Procurement 2016 (as amended in 2018), Articles 23 (1)(4), 2(21))

Information availability

Publishing and record keeping

Is there a requirement that tender documents must published in full? Yes. For Procurement through an open tender, the Procurement announcement and Invitation shall be published in the Bulletin for purposes of soliciting Bidders. The Procurement announcement shall contain the following information: 1) The Contracting Authority’s name and location; 2) The code of the open tender; 3) A brief and clear summary of the content of the Contract and the Descriptions of the Procurement Subject; 4) Announcement about the right of Bidders to participate in the open tender; 5) The conditions for obtaining a hard copy of the Invitation, including charges and payment procedure thereof; 6) The language(s) in which the bids shall be submitted; 7) A summary of the Bidder qualification criteria; 8) Criteria to be used for determining the winning Bidder; 9) The method, venue, and deadline for Bid submission; 10) The name and location of the body responsible for the appeal, and precise information concerning the deadlines for lodging appeals; 11) The method, venue, date, and time of Bid opening; 12) A note that the Procurement Process in question is governed by the provisions of the World Trade Organization Agreement on Government Procurement if the Procurement Price exceeds the thresholds set by such Agreement; and 13) Other information, if necessary. 3. An entity shall have the right to receive a hard copy of the Invitation on the first working day following the day on which it submits to the Requester such written request on the basis of the Procurement announcement. 4. In case of an open tender, a fee may be charged for issuing the invitation in hard copy. Such fee may not exceed the cost of photocopying and delivering the Invitation. 5. Failure to receive the Invitation as prescribed under this Article shall not limit the Bidder’s right to participate in the open tender. Art. 28 1. The Invitation shall contain: 1) A reference to the published announcement, as a supplement to which the Invitation is extended; 2) The code of the tender; 3) Instructions for Bid preparation; 4) Qualification criteria, Bidder eligibility criteria, and the procedure for their evaluation; 5) The Descriptions of the Procurement Subject; 6) Procedure for Bid evaluation and selection of a winning Bidder; 7) A draft Contract; 8) If the Procurement is carried out in lots, and Bidders are allowed to submit bids for a part of goods, works, or services tendered, then the terms and conditions thereof; 9) The procedure for calculation of the price offered in the Bid, including the exchange rate in case the price is presented in foreign currency; 10) A note that the offered price, besides the value of goods, works, and services, includes also the costs of transportation, insurance, duties, taxes, and other charges, and cannot be less than their cost. The calculation of the offered price shall be presented in the bid; 11) Requirements related to Bid Security and Contract Performance Security; 12) Conditions for submission of Bids, including the form, venue, deadline, and language of the Bid, as well as the Bid validity deadline; 13) Procedure for receiving clarifications on the Procurement procedure, information on meetings to be arranged with the Bidders, as well as the name and surname of the evaluation commission secretary; 14) Procedure, venue, date, and time of Bid opening; 15) References made to the provisions of this Law and other legal acts in relation to the Procurement in question; 16) Conditions for proposing a Contract award; 17) The right of the Bidder to appeal against activities (inaction) implemented or decisions adopted in relation to the Procurement Process, and the procedure of such appeals; 18) The grounds for Bid rejection; and 19) Other information necessary for the preparation, submission, opening, and evaluation of the Bid, as well as other necessary information related to the Procurement. 2. The Invitation shall also envisage that the Bidder: 1) Submits in the bid a statement verified by the Bidder justifying eligibility to participate in the Procurement and the compliance with the qualification criteria specified in the Invitation, provided that, in cases and in manner prescribed in this Law, the Bidder assumes an obligation to submit the documents (information) specified in the Invitation, which substantiate the statement; 2) Submits in the Bid: a. A statement approved by the Bidder about the absence of abuse of dominant position and about anti-competitive collusion b. Information on the natural person(-s) who directly or indirectly owns (own) over 10 percent of the voting shares (including bearer shares) in the statutory capital of the legal entity Bidding in the Procurement Process, or on the person(-s) that has (have) the right to appoint or dismiss members of the executive body of the Bidding legal entity, or receives over 15 percent of the profit resulting from the business or other activities of such legal entity, or, in their absence, information on the head and members of the executive body. If a Bidder is announced as the winning Bidder, the information stipulated by this sub-paragraph (b) shall be published in the Bulletin at the same time as the announcement on the Contract award decision. Art. 10 (1), (2): 1. Prior to Contract signature, the Contracting Authority shall publish an announcement on Contract award decision in the Bulletin no later than on the first day following the adoption of the Contract award decision. In case of making Procurement containing state secrecy, the announcement stipulated by this Paragraph shall be sent to all the Bidders that submitted Bids on the first working day following the Contract award decision. 2. The Contract award decision shall contain brief information on evaluation of the Bids and the relevant reasons for selection of a particular Bidder, as well as a statement on the standstill period. The standstill period is the period from the day following the date on which the Contract award decision is announced up to the day on which the Contracting Authority acquires the right to conclude the Contract. Art. 11 1. The Contracting Authority shall publish in the Bulletin an announcement on concluding the Contract no later than on the first working day following its conclusion. In case of making Procurements containing state secrecy, the announcement stipulated by this Paragraph shall be sent to all the Bidders that submitted Bids on the first working day following the Contract conclusion. 2. The announcement about the concluded Contract shall contain the following information: 1) A brief description of the Procurement Subject; 2) The Contracting Authority’s name and address; 3) The Contract conclusion date; 4) The name and residence or location address of the Selected Bidder(s); 5) The price offers of Bidders and the Contract price; 6) Information about announcements published in accordance with this Law in order to attract Bidders (if applicable); and 7) The Procurement method used and the justification of its selection. Art. 24 (1), (2): 1. In case of organizing a prequalification procedure: 1) A prequalification announcement about it shall be published; 2) In case of applying a consulting service, a two-state tender, or a restricted specific tender, the deadline for submission of the prequalification applications shall be at least 15 calendar days, which shall be calculated from the day of publishing the prequalification announcement; 3) If the Procurement Price does not exceed 70-fold the Procurement Base Unit, or the Procurement is made by Requesters specified in Paragraphs 1(1.d) and 1(1.e) of Article 2 of this Law, or urgent need for Procurement has arisen due to an emergency or another unforeseen situation, and complying with the deadline stipulated by sub-paragraph (2) of this Paragraph is impossible, provided that such need objectively could not have been foreseen, the deadline for submission of prequalification applications shall be at least five calendar days, which shall be calculated from the day of publishing the prequalification announcement. 2. The prequalification announcement shall be published in the Bulletin and shall contain the following information: 1) The Contracting Authority’s name and location; 2) The code of the Procurement procedure; 3) A notice on the right of applicants to participate in the prequalification procedure; 4) The language(s), in which the prequalification application shall be submitted; 5) A clear summary of the content of the Contract and the Descriptions of the Procurement Subject; 6) The procedure for preparation and submission of a prequalification application, including the format and venue, as well as the submission deadline; 7) The requirements on applicant eligibility to bid and qualify, and the procedure for their evaluation; 8) A note that the Procurement Process in question is governed by the provisions of the World Trade Organization Agreement on Government Procurement if the Procurement Price exceeds the thresholds set by such Agreement, and the Procurement Process is organized through a two-stage tender procedure; and 9) Other necessary requirements related to the prequalification procedure. (Law on Procurement 2016 (as amended in 2018), Articles 10 (1) (2), 11, 24 (1) (2), 27, 28 )
Are any of these documents published online at a central place? Yes. Procurement procedures, advertisements of procurement processes, invitations, announcements on signed contracts exceeding the Procurement base unit are published also in the Bulletin. (Law on Procurement 2016 (as amended in 2018), Articles 10 (1), 11 (1), 14 (1), 20 (1), 22 (3), 24 (2), 27 (1))
Is it mandatory to keep all of these records? -Public notices of bidding opportunities, -Bidding documents and addenda, -Bid opening records, -Bid evaluation reports, -Formal appeals by bidders and outcomes, -Final signed contract documents and addenda and amendments, -Claims and dispute resolutions, -Final payments, -Disbursement data (as required by the country’s financial management system) No. Recording and maintaining of procurement-related information shall be ensured by developing the relevant documents, including electronic ones. However, there is no specific provision about what information is supposed to be procurement related or not. (Law on Procurement 2016 (as amended in 2018), Article 8, paragraph 1)
Are contracts awarded within a framework agreement published (ie mini contracts)? No. Framework agreements have been eliminated from the scope of the new Law. It is worth mentioning though that even in accordance with the previous Law the framework agreements in Armenia were not as the ones prescribed under e.g. EU Directives. The system in Armenia resembled more the qualified suppliers list in which case only eligibility was checked at the first stage when the companies were registered. (N/A)

Sub-contracting

Is it mandatory to publish information on subcontractors (ie names) in some cases? No.
If yes, what is the threshold for publication (i.e. the % of total contract value subcontracted)? For example, if the threshold is 75%, and you have subcontracted out only 40% of your contract, no disclosure is required. Consultant will insert 75% in the short answer column. 0%.

Evaluation

Preferential treatment

Is there a ban on mentioning specific companies or brands in tender specification/call for tender? Yes. The technical specifications of the Procurement Subject shall not require or refer to any trademark, brand name, license, design or model, country of origin or a specific source or a manufacturer, except when the description of the Procurement Subject is impossible without such requirement or reference. When references are used, the technical specifications shall contain the words “or equivalent.” (Law on Procurement 2016 (as amended in 2018), Article 13 (5))
Is there a preferential treatment for small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs)? No. Any entity, irrespective of being a foreign natural person or organization or a stateless person, shall have an equal right to participate in a Procurement Process. (Law on Procurement 2016 (as amended in 2018), Article 7 (1))
Is there a preferential treatment for local/national companies? (companies from other EU MS are considered foreign companies) No. Any entity, irrespective of being a foreign natural person or organization or a stateless person, shall have an equal right to participate in a Procurement Process. (Law on Procurement 2016 (as amended in 2018), Article 7 (1))
Is there a specific set of rules for green/sustainable procurement? No. (No mention in the law)

Bid evaluation

Are there restrictions on allowable grounds for tenderer exclusion? Yes. With the exception of procurement carried out in accordance with the procedure set out in Paragraphs 1(1), 1(3), 1(4), and 1(5) of Article 23 of this Law, the following persons shall not have the right to participate in the Procurement procedures: 1) Persons that had been declared bankrupt by court by the date of submitting the Bid; 2) Persons that, by the date of submitting the Bid, have outstanding arrears for revenue overseen by the tax authority, which is up to 1 percent of their price proposal, but not more than 50,000 Armenian drams; 3) A person who, or whose executive officer, was convicted, in the three years preceding the Bid submission, for a crime involving terrorism financing, child exploitation, or trafficking in persons, or for creating or participating in a criminal enterprise, or for receiving or giving or intermediating a bribe, or for crimes against economic activities stipulated by law, except when such has been lifted or extinguished under the procedure stipulated by law; 4) A person with respect to whom there is, in the year preceding the Bid submission date, a final administrative act rendered under the procedure stipulated by law, which was rendered for anti-competitive collusion or for abuse of dominant position in the sphere of Procurement; 5) A person who, on the Bid submission date, is included in the list of Bidders that are not eligible to participate in the Procurement Process published under the Procurement legislation of countries participating in the Eurasian Economic Union; 6) A person who, on the Bid submission date, is included in the list of Bidders that are not eligible to participate in the Procurement Process. A Bidder shall be included in such list if: a. The Bidder has breached an obligation assumed under a Contract or a Procurement Process, which led to unilateral termination of the Contract by the Requester or barring such Bidder from further participation in the Procurement Process; b. As a Selected Bidder, refused to sign the Contract; or c. Refused further participation in the Procurement Process after the opening of the Bids. The Authorized Body shall publish the list specified in paragraph 1(6) of this Article, including also in the Russian language. The Authorized Body shall formally initiate, free of charge, a procedure at the Procurement Complaints Reviewer based on information about a Bidder barred from participating in the Procurement Process. After hearing the opinion of the Bidder concerned, the Procurement Complaints Reviewer shall decide whether the Bidder shall be included in the list stipulated by this Article. The person shall be included in the list for a term of two years. A Bidder shall meet the qualification criteria set out in the Invitation. A Bidder shall have the following, as required for fulfilling the obligations prescribed by the Contract: 1) Compliance of the Bidder’s professional activity to the activities stipulated in the Contract; 2) Professional experience; 3) Technical means; 4) Financial means; and 5) Labor resources. No other criteria related to Bidder eligibility and qualification for participation in the procurement may be established if such criteria: 1) Are not stipulated by this Article; 2) Are discriminatory and limit competition by unduly complicating or simplifying potential participation in the Procurement Process; or 3) Are inadequate in that they are not directly required for execution of obligations prescribed by the Contract. With a view to ensuring the compliance of its data with the qualification criteria specified in the Invitation, a Bidder may, if necessary, rely on financial and technical means of other persons on the basis of an appropriate legal contractual relationship. The Invitation shall set out the procedure and criteria for evaluating a Bidder's eligibility and qualification to participate in a particular Procurement, as well as the requirements on documents (information) required for it. (Law on Procurement 2016 (as amended in 2018), Article 6)
Are some bids automatically excluded? e.g., lowest/highest price; unusually low price, etc. No. (No mention in the law)
Is scoring criteria published? Yes. The winning bidder shall be determined: 1) From among the Bids rated as satisfactory—by giving preference to the Bid with the least price proposed; or 2) By choosing the Bidder whose price proposal and non-price criteria have scored the highest sum total. When using this method, during the Bid evaluation, in addition to the offered price, other non-price criteria shall be taken into account, as well, in the cases and following the procedure specified in the Invitation. The non-price criteria shall be linked with the subject matter of the Contract, and their relative weights shall be disclosed in the Invitation. The Invitation shall contain: Qualification criteria, Bidder eligibility criteria, and the procedure for their evaluation. (Law on Procurement 2016 (as amended in 2018), Articles 34 (2), 28 (1) (4))
Are decisions always made by a committee? Yes. An evaluation commission shall be formed by order of the Contactinhg Authority’s head. The evaluation commission shall: 1) Approve the texts of the announcement and the Invitation; 2) Make amendments in the Invitation; 3) Provide clarifications on the Procurement procedure; 4) Open and evaluate the Bids; and 5) Select the winning Bidder(s). (Law on Procurement 2016 (as amended in 2018), Article 26)
Are there regulations on evaluation committee composition to prevent conflict of interest? Yes. A member of the secretary of the evaluation commission may not participate in the evaluation commission’s work if it becomes known during the Bid opening meeting that a Bid has been submitted in such Bid procedure by an organization founded by them or an organization in which they have a share, or by a person who is connected to them by close family or in-law ties (parents, spouses, children, siblings, or spouse’s parents, children, or siblings) or by an organization created by such persons or an organization in which such persons have a share. If the condition specified in Paragraph 6 of this Article is present, the evaluation commission member or secretary who has a conflict of interest in respect of the current procedure shall, immediately after the Bid opening session, recuse himself/herself from the current procedure. The commission members and secretary shall sign a statement on the absence of conflicts of interest, which shall be published in the Bulletin on the first working day following the end of the Bid opening meeting. (Law on Procurement 2016 (as amended in 2018), Article 33(6), (7))
Is some part of evaluation committee mandatorily independent of contracting authority? No . The Procurement Coordinator and his representatives or employees may not become members of the evaluation commission. A member of the evaluation commission shall have professional ability to evaluate the Bidders’ qualification and Bids, which shall be determined in accordance with the Procurement Subject. If the representatives of the Contracting Authorityr’s staff do not have the necessary professional abilities, a relevant expert (specialist) shall be invited to become a member of the commission. (Government Decision N 526 as of 4th of May 2017)
Are scoring results publicly available? Yes. Based on the Bid evaluation results, the minutes of the Bid evaluation meeting shall be drafted and attached to the minutes of the Procurement procedure. Members of the evaluation commission present at the meeting shall sign the minutes. On the working day following the date on which the Bid opening meeting ended, the minutes of the Bid opening meeting shall be published in the Bulletin. In case of making procurements containing state secrecy, the minutes specified in this Paragraph shall, on the first working day following the Bid opening meeting, be sent to all Bidders that submitted bids. (Law on Procurement 2016 (as amended in 2018), Article 34 (8), (9))
Does the law specify under which conditions the tender can be cancelled? Yes. Four cases: 1) none of the bids complies with the invitation conditions, 2) the need for procurement ceases to exist, 3) no bid has been submitted, 4) a contract is not awarded (Law on Procurement 2016 (as amended in 2018), Article 37 (1))

Open competition

CFT publication

Does the law specify the location for publicizing open calls for tenders? Yes. For Procurement through an open tender, the Procurement announcement and Invitation shall be published in the Bulletin for purposes of soliciting Bidders. (Law on Procurement 2016 (as amended in 2018), Article 27(1))
Does the law specify the location for publicizing restricted calls for tenders? Yes. Bulletin (Prequalification procedure is arranged, if a restricted procedure is to be used.In case of arranging prequalification procedure, prequalification announcement is published. The prequalification announcement in Armenian, English and Russian is published in the Bulletin) (Law on Procurement 2016 (as amended in 2018), Articles 14(1), 21(3), 24 (1) (2))
Does the law specify the location for publicizing negotiated calls for tenders? Yes. The announcement for the two-stage procedure is published in the Bulletin. Procedure requires preq-qaulification. In case of single source procurement (renamed negotiated procedure without publication of notice), no notice is publised. (Law on Procurement 2016 (as amended in 2018), Articles 19, 24 (1) (2), 23)

Minimum # of bidders

What is the minimum number of bidders for restricted procedures? General. (No mention in the law)
What is the minimum number of bidders for negotiated procedures? General. (No mention in the law)
What is the minimum number of bidders for competitive dialogue procedures? General. (No mention in the law)

Bidding period length

What are the minimum number of days for open procedures? General. In case of an open tender, the bid submission deadline shall be calculated from the day of publishing the Procurement announcement and Invitation in the Bulletin. Save for the Requesters specified in Paragraphs 1(1.d) and 1(1.e) of Article 2 of this Law, the Bid submission deadline shall be at least 40 calendar days. For the Requesters specified in Paragraphs 1(1.d) and 1(1.e) of Article 2 of this Law, the bid submission deadline shall be at least: 1) 15 calendar days if the Procurement Price does not exceed 200-fold the Procurement Base Unit; 2) 40 calendar days if the Procurement Price exceeds 200-fold the Procurement Base Unit. If an urgent need for Procurement has arisen due to an emergency or another unforeseen situation, and applying the Bid submission deadline prescribed by Paragraph 2 or Paragraph 3(2) of this Article is impossible, provided that such need objectively could not have been foreseen, then the Bid submission deadline shall be at least 15 calendar days. (Law on Procurement 2016 (as amended in 2018), Article 20)
What are the minimum number of days for restricted procedures? General. In case of a restricted specific tender, the Bid submission deadline shall be calculated from the day of providing the invitation to the prequalified Bidders. Save for the Requesters specified in Paragraphs 1(1.d) and 1(1.e) of Article 2 of this Law, the Bid submission deadline shall be at least 30 calendar days. For the Requesters specified in Paragraphs 1(1.d) and 1(1.e) of Article 2 of this Law, the Bid submission deadline shall be at least: 1) 15 calendar days if the Procurement Price does not exceed 200-fold the Procurement Base Unit; 2) 30 calendar days if the Procurement Price exceeds 200-fold the Procurement Base Unit. If an urgent need for Procurement has arisen due to an emergency or another unforeseen situation, and applying the Bid submission deadline prescribed by Paragraph 5 or Paragraph 6(2) of this Article is impossible, provided that such requirement could not objectively have been foreseen, then the Bid submission deadline shall be at least 15 calendar days. In case of a restricted regular tender, the Bid submission deadline shall be at least five calendar days, which shall be calculated from the day of providing the invitation to the prequalified Bidders. (Law on Procurement 2016 (as amended in 2018), Article 21 (4), (5), (6), (7), (8))
What are the minimum number of days  for competitive negotiated procedures? General. In case of applying a price quotation procedure, the Bid submission deadline shall be at least four working days, which shall be calculated from the day of publishing the Procurement announcement and Invitation in the Bulletin, and in case of Procurements containing state secrecy, from the day of providing the Invitation to the prequalified Bidders. (Law on Procurement 2016 (as amended in 2018), Article 22 (3))

Institutional arrangements

Institutions and regulations

Does the law specify the main EXCEPTIONS preventing the application of the public procurement law for tenders/organisations? Yes. The Law on Procurement shall not apply to the following types of transactions: 1) Employment contracts; 2) The purchase of services rendered by specific persons foreseen in decisions of officials carrying out criminal, administrative, or judicial proceedings in cases stipulated by law, and 3) Transactions related to trust management of securities. (Law on Procurement 2016 (as amended in 2018), Article 3(4))
Does the law specify the main types of institutions that must apply the public procurement law? Yes. Customer: a. Public administration and local self-government bodies, state or community institutions envisaged by the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia and the laws of the Republic of Armenia; b. Central Bank of the Republic of Armenia; c. State or community non-profit organizations; d. organizations with more than fifty percent shares of the state or communities, e. Foundations or associations (unions) formed by state or community or state or community non-profit or state or community organizations with more than fifty percent shares; f. Legal entities that have received donation or grant funds from the state or community or state or community non-commercial or from state or community organizations with more than fifty percent shares, in respect of purchases made at the expense of donation or grant funds; g. Reorganized funds through state or community non-profit or state or community organizations with more than fifty percent shares; h. public organizations. Public organizations: a. Persons included in the list approved by the Public Services Regulatory Commission of the Republic of Armenia, who operate in the regulated sphere of public services, except for those who are included in the list mentioned in this paragraph due to their dominance in the field of electronic communications services. b. other public service organizations, which carry out with one special or exclusive right the type of activity defined by this Article, one or more, if the purchase is made for the purpose of carrying out the relevant type of activity; (Law on Procurement 2016 (as amended in 2018), Article 2 (1) and (2))
Does the law specify the main procedure types or procurement methods permitted? Yes. The following are the Procurement procedures: 1) Electronic Auction; 2) Tender; 3) Price quotation; and 4) Procurement from a single source. 2. The tender may be open and closed. A restricted tender may be specific or regular. 3. The Procurement shall be carried out through an Electronic Auction procedure if the Procurement Subject is included in the list stipulated by Paragraph 1(14) of Article 5 of this Law. 4. In the cases stipulated by this Law, the tender may be conducted in two stages. 5. A tender is the preferred Procurement method, unless the Procurement Subject is stipulated by Paragraph 1(14) of Article 5 of this Law or, in case of Procurement containing state secrecy, in the list stipulated by Paragraph 1(15) of Article 5. Procurement may be carried out through other Procurement methods only in cases stipulated by this Law. (Law on Procurement 2016 (as amended in 2018), Article 18 (1) (2) (3) (4) (5))
Is there a procurement arbitration court dedicated to public procurement cases? Yes. Procurement Complaint Reviewer (person reviewing the complaint) (Law on Procurement 2016 (as amended in 2018), Article 47)
Is there a procurement regulatory body dedicated to public procurement? No. Public Finance Management Methodology Department, Ministry of Finance, which is not a separate regulatory entity. (Law on Procurement 2016 (as amended in 2018), Article 16)
Does the law specify procurement advisors' profession (i.e. degree to be obtained, official list of members of the professional association) and its role in the tendering process (e.g. right to draft tender documentations, conduct market research identifying bidders)? Yes. The only relevant provision is that clients' procurement specialists should be professionally educated, continuously trained and qualified. Their assessment is undertaken by the Authorized Body. The staff of the procurement unit, officials and invited consultants shall be included in the list of qualified procurement specialists published by the Authorized Body. The individuals are included in the list after successfully passing the examination assessing their knowledge of the Republic of Armenia legislation on procurement organized by the Authorized Body. Gov. Decision N 526 point 8. The Procurement Coordinator shall: 1) Be responsible for the organization and coordination of the Requester’s Procurement Process; 2) Provide an opinion on Procurement-related documents approved by the Contracting Authority, and ensure the conformity of the Procurement Procedure and related documents with the conditions stipulated by the Republic of Armenia legislation on Procurement; 3) Exercise the powers of the secretary of the evaluation commission; and 4) Drafts the minutes of a particular Procurement procedure and the Procurement Contract and submit them to the head of Contracting Authority for approval. (Law on Procurement 2016 (as amended in 2018), Article 16 (5) (3) and Government Decision N 526)
Is disclosure of final, beneficial owners required for placing a bid? No. (No mention in the law)

Complaints

Is there a fee for arbitration procedure? Yes. The fee is only about 55 EUR. It can be considered nominal, as the main aim is to deter the filing of frivolous complaints. It is also not so much as to hinder SMEs to launch a review procedures. The complaint shall be submitted to the person reviewing the complaint in writing, signed, including a copy of the document substantiating the payment of the appeal. Moreover, the amount of the appeal fee is 30 thousand AMD, which is paid to the state budget of the Republic of Armenia. In case of satisfaction of the complaint, the payment provided for in this part shall be subject to return to the person who submitted the complaint in accordance with the procedure established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia. (Law on Procurement 2016 (as amended in 2018), Article 50.1 (6))
Is there a ban on contract signature until arbitration court decision (first instance court)? Yes. The complaint submitted to the Procurement Complaint Reviewer shall automatically suspend the procurement process from the date of publication of the announcement provided for in Article 50 (9) of this Law until the decision on the results of the appeal examination the day of entry into force. By the decision of the Complaint Reviewer, the suspension may be lifted if, according to the reasons provided by the customer, in the interests of public or defense and national security, it is necessary to continue the procurement process. The Complaint Reviewer shall publish the decision envisaged in this part in the bulletin the working day following the day of making it. The complaint automatically suspends the procurement process unless the contracting authority justifies that due to public or defence and national security reasons it is necessary to continue the procurement process. The decision to continue the process shall be published within one working day of its adoption. (Law on Procurement 2016 (as amended in 2018), Art. 51)
What is the maximum number of days until arbitration court decision from filing a complaint in the case of awarded contracts? General. The written decision on the complaint, which also includes the substantiation of the decision, shall be adopted and published no later than 20 calendar days from the day of receiving the complaint. By the reasoned decision of the Procurement Complaint Reviewer, the term provided by this clause may be extended once, up to 10 calendar days. The decision of the Procurement Complaint Reviewer is binding, which may be amended or revoked, including in part, only by a court. (Law on Procurement 2016 (as amended in 2018), Article 50 (6))
Is there a requirement to publicly release arbitration court decisions ? Yes. The Procurement Complainant shall publish the decision in the bulletin within two working days following the date of the decision, indicating the date of publication. In the case of procurements containing state secrets, the decision shall be sent to the customer, the authorized body and the parties involved in the appeal procedure within the period specified in this part. The decision of the person reviewing the procurement complaints shall enter into force upon its publication in the bulletin, and in the case of procurement containing state secrets, the decision shall be sent the day after it is sent to the customer, the authorized body and the parties involved in the appeal procedure. (Law on Procurement 2016 (as amended in 2018), Article 50 (11))

Legislation

Law No. HO-21-N of 2016 on Public Procurement (Armenian)pdf
Law of 23 March 2018 (Armenian)pdf

*Last update: 2017