Armenia Becomes 125th Member of Permanent Court of Arbitration

On September 18, an event dedicated to the membership of the Republic of Armenia in the Permanent Court of Arbitration was held in The Hague, at the "Peace Palace." This is reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The event was attended by the President of the International Court of Justice, representatives of the Royal Court of the Netherlands, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, the Carnegie Endowment, as well as the heads of diplomatic missions accredited in The Hague.

By joining the 1899 and 1907 Hague Conventions for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes, the Republic of Armenia became the 125th member state of the Permanent Court of Arbitration. Minister Mirzoyan, the Secretary-General of the Court, and the acting President of the Administrative Council of the Court, the Ambassador of Slovakia to the Netherlands, delivered speeches at the event.

In his speech, Marcin Czepelak, the Secretary-General of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, noted that Armenia's membership in the Court is fully consistent with an ambitious political vision that, in the conditions of a modern interconnected global economy, attaches particular importance to effective mechanisms for resolving investment disputes, as well as promoting national development goals.

The acting President of the Administrative Council of the Court, Juraj Podhorský, noted that Armenia's ratification of the founding conventions of the Court clearly shows how important multilateral policy and the peaceful settlement of disputes are for Armenia.

"As a new member state of the Court, Armenia reaffirms its commitment to the Court's mission to strengthen the rule of law and promote international cooperation - values that are deeply rooted in Armenia's legal commitments and international aspirations," Ararat Mirzoyan noted in his speech.

"Armenia views joining the conventions of the Permanent Court of Arbitration within the framework of its broader vision aimed at strengthening the world order built on the foundation of international law and ensuring the proper place of justice in international relations. We are confident that by deepening our involvement in international legal developments, we are strengthening our ability to effectively contribute to the international legal system. With the same understanding, last year the Republic of Armenia joined the Rome Statute, becoming the 124th signatory country." Mirzoyan emphasized that Armenia also has historical reasons and national experience for deciding to join the Court: "We perhaps know better than many the importance of impartial dispute resolution mechanisms, where law prevails over force, and dialogue over coercion. It is in this spirit that Armenia views the Permanent Court of Arbitration as a bridge to a more just and peaceful future."

At the event, a ceremony was held for the opening of the national seat of the Republic of Armenia in the Administrative Council of the Court. Every contracting party to the Permanent Court of Arbitration has the right to such a national seat. Each of the seats, thanks to unique woodworking, craftsmanship, the use of exquisite fabrics, and special embroidery, is a unique work of art. Each of these seats bears the coat of arms of the member state of the Court, symbolizing the sovereignty of the state and the central role of the states that founded and govern the court.