On September 18, an event dedicated to the accession of Armenia to the Permanent Court of Arbitration was held at the Peace Palace in The Hague, attended by the President of the ICJ, representatives of the Royal Netherlands Embassy, ​​the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, the Carnegie Endowment, as well as heads of diplomatic missions accredited to The Hague.

The event was addressed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan, the Secretary-General of the Court, the Acting Chairman of the Administrative Council of the Court, and the Ambassador of Slovakia to the Netherlands.

In his speech, the Secretary General of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, Marcin Čepelak, noted that Armenia’s accession to the Court is entirely consistent with an ambitious political vision, which attaches particular importance to effective mechanisms for the settlement of investment disputes in the conditions of a modern interconnected global economy, as well as to the promotion of national development goals.

Acting Chairman of the Administrative Council of the Court, Yury Podborsky, noted that Armenia’s ratification of the founding conventions of the Court clearly demonstrates how vital multilateralism and peaceful settlement of disputes are for Armenia.

The event included the inauguration ceremony of the RA National Chair at the Administrative Council of the Court.

There is a beautiful tradition of national chairs: each contracting party to the Permanent Court of Arbitration has the right to such a national chair. Each of these chairs, thanks to its unique woodworking, craftsmanship, use of exquisite fabrics, and special embroidery, is a unique piece of art. Each of these chairs bears the coat of arms of a member state of the Court, symbolizing the sovereignty of the state and the central role of the states that founded and govern the Court.

Ararat Mirzoyan delivered a speech at the event.

“It is a pleasure and at the same time an honor to be here today at the Permanent Court of Arbitration. I want to begin by expressing my sincere gratitude for the warm welcome extended to our delegation and for the open and constructive dialogue during the process of Armenia’s accession to the founding conventions of the Permanent Court of Arbitration. I would also like to express our gratitude to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, both as the host country of the Court and as the depositary of both conventions, for its unwavering support for international legal institutions and the rule of law in general.

By acceding to the Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907, the Republic of Armenia became the 125th member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration. It is symbolic that Armenia became the 125th member at a time when the Court celebrated 125 years of its service to justice and the rule of law last year.

As a new member of the Court, Armenia reaffirms its commitment to the Court’s mission to strengthen the rule of law and promote international cooperation. These values are deeply rooted in Armenia’s legal obligations and global aspirations.

Today, as the international system faces increasing pressures, we are convinced that institutions such as the Permanent Court of Arbitration, with their long-standing traditions of neutrality, legal excellence, and constructive dialogue, are more critical than ever.

The Court’s role in promoting arbitration and other means of resolving disputes between States, State entities, international organizations, and private institutions is both historic and forward-looking. It serves as a key platform for upholding international legal norms and promoting cooperation based on the rule of law and mutual respect.

Armenia views accession to the Permanent Court of Arbitration Conventions as part of its broader vision of strengthening the global order based on international law and ensuring the proper place of justice in international relations. We are confident that by deepening our engagement in international legal developments, we are strengthening our ability to contribute effectively to the international legal system. With that same understanding, last year the Republic of Armenia acceded to the Rome Statute, becoming the 124th signatory.

Armenia’s decision to join the Court also reflects our national experience. We know perhaps better than most 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.

Joining this community strengthens Armenia’s investment climate by providing additional legal guarantees. The Government of the Republic of Armenia recognizes that the modern investment environment is based not only on bold ideas and economic opportunities, but also on trust and confidence. That state policy should be consistently aimed at creating a reliable and investment-friendly environment, where disputes do not hinder cooperation, but are addressed in a spirit of mutual trust and professionalism.

Noting this important milestone, I would like to reaffirm Armenia’s full support for the mission and mandate of the Court. We, as a committed partner, stand ready to contribute to the promotion of the common goal of the peaceful settlement of disputes through international law.”