Armenia says Rome Statute ratification process not aimed against Russia

YEREVAN, JULY 21, ARMENPRESS. Armenia is actively discussing the issue of the Rome Statute with Russia, Vice Speaker of Parliament Hakob Arshakyan has said.

He said that launching the process of ratification of the Rome Statute wasn’t meant to be a step against Russia and that its purpose is to prevent Azeri encroachments in sovereign Armenian territory.

Arshakyan made the remarks in response to his Russian counterpart Yuri Vorobyov’s concerns voiced during a meeting of the inter-parliamentary commission on cooperation between the Armenian and Russian parliaments.

Arshakyan expressed hope that a legal solution would be found to the issue that would be acceptable for both Armenia and Russia.

The Vice Speaker noted that Armenia had launched the ratification process before the ICC issued an international arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin, which shows that the move wasn’t intended to be against Russia.

Armenia’s highest court ruled in March 2023 that the Rome Statute is in line with the constitution of Armenia. The government said earlier in June that it would submit the Rome Statute to parliament for ratification but thus far hasn’t done so.