Armenia joins Hague Permanent Court of Arbitration

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia has decided to join the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague. To this end, a bill has been submitted to the National Assembly to ratify the 1899 and 1907 Hague Conventions on Peace, as presented by Armenia's Representative for International Legal Affairs, Yeghishe Kirakosyan.

Kirakosyan emphasized that the PCA, established under these conventions, provides a platform for the peaceful resolution of disputes between states and international organizations, Sputnik Armenia reports.

Since Armenia is not yet a participant in these conventions, other countries can file claims against Armenia in the PCA, but Armenia itself cannot initiate claims. Currently, Armenia faces two inter-state and one investment dispute before the court.

By becoming a PCA member, Armenia will gain the right to file claims, as well as the ability to appoint four arbitrators. Additionally, PCA arbitrators are often nominated as candidates for the International Court of Justice (ICJ), with their appointments discussed in the UN General Assembly and the Security Council.

Unlike the ICJ, the Permanent Court of Arbitration is not directly under UN jurisdiction, though both institutions are based in The Hague. It should also not be confused with the International Criminal Court, which is likewise headquartered in The Hague.