Yerevan dismisses Baku’s claims over environmental damage

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia will reject Azerbaijan’s baseless claims, including its demand for compensation, according to the Office of Armenia’s Representative for International Legal Affairs, which responded to the lawsuit filed by Azerbaijan.

On February 12, 2025, Armenia received Azerbaijan’s claim in an arbitration case under the 1979 Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats. This filing follows the procedural calendar set by the arbitration tribunal after the first hearing on April 12, 2024, which resulted in several favorable decisions for Armenia.

Armenia has reaffirmed its commitment to firmly defending its position in the case.

"Azerbaijan's legal stance is based on an interpretation and application of the Bern Convention that does not align with its purpose—to promote cooperation among states in protecting wildlife and their natural habitats.

Contrary to Azerbaijan’s claims, reports from the UN Environment Programme and other independent bodies confirm that Azerbaijan itself is responsible for environmental damage in recent years. Armenia will reject Baku’s baseless demands, including its compensation claim.

Since joining the Bern Convention, Armenia has consistently upheld its commitments to environmental protection in the region. This is reflected both in Armenia’s environmental policies and its active engagement in the work of the convention’s Standing Committee," the statement reads.

*Baku previously announced it had filed a lawsuit against Armenia at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, seeking compensation for alleged environmental damage and destruction of Nagorno-Karabakh’s unique nature. Armenian officials have stated that Azerbaijan’s claims have no connection to the Bern Convention.

The Office of Armenia’s Representative for International Legal Affairs clarified that Azerbaijan’s lawsuit is not new but rather an extension with additional documentation.*