gradual approach to reform, resulting in steady and positive improvements in anti-corruption. However, safeguarding judicial independence and ensuring checks and balances remain critical first steps in its anti-corruption efforts. The effectiveness of those efforts is additionally challenged by the current political and economic crisis as a result of the recent Nagorno Karabakh conflict and the subsequent protests against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan over a ceasefire deal". In 2008, Transparency International reduced its Corruption Perceptions Index for Armenia from 3.0 in 2007 to 2.9 out of 10 (a lower score means more perceived corruption); Armenia slipped from 99th place in 2007 to 109th out of 180 countries surveyed (on a par with Argentina, Belize, Moldova, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu). See also Constitution of Armenia Constitutional economics Elections in Armenia Foreign relations of Armenia List of political parties in Armenia Politics of Artsakh Programs of political parties in Armenia Rule according to higher law Notes References External links Global Integrity Report: Armenia has information on anti-corruption efforts Petrosyan, David: "The Political System of Armenia: Form and Content" in the Caucasus Analytical Digest No. 17 Control Chamber of The Republic of Armenia Armenian language document National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia | Official Web Site | parliament.am