Armenia can make sure that Yerevan’s further actions related to the ratification of the Rome Statute on the establishment of the International Criminal Court do not damage the Armenian-Russian strategic relations. According to TASS with reference to Armenpress, Hakob Arshakyan, Vice Speaker of the Armenian Parliament, stated this.
Earlier, the Russian side warned the Armenian colleagues about the “extremely negative” consequences for relations with the Russian Federation of a possible accession to the Rome Statute. The Russian Foreign Ministry also added that Moscow considers unacceptable Yerevan’s plans to join the Rome Statute of the ICC against the backdrop of “warrants” against the leadership of the Russian Federation.
“We heard the concerns expressed by Russia, and I think that we will be able to ensure that the provision of a further process related to the Rome Statute does not damage the strategic relations between Armenia and Russia,” Arshakyan said. He admitted that Yerevan could conclude an agreement with Moscow, according to which the Rome Statute would not affect the relations between the two countries.
The Constitutional Court of Armenia, in its decision of March 24, stated that the Rome Statute does not contradict the country’s constitution, which caused a negative reaction from the Russian side. The Armenian side notes that the ratification of the Rome Statute will give Armenia the opportunity to raise the issue of responsibility for “the gravest crimes committed by Azerbaijani servicemen” in the International Criminal Court and is not directed against Russia.
The ICC was established under the 1998 Rome Statute. Currently, 123 countries are participating in the international treaty. The court is located in The Hague, but it has offices in countries where investigations are ongoing. Non-parties to the statute include Russia (signed but not ratified), the United States (signed but later withdrew), and China (did not sign the statute). In 2016, Putin signed a decree according to which the Russian Federation would not become a member of the ICC. According to the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, this court “did not justify the hopes placed on it and did not become a truly independent body of international justice.”
Source: Rosbalt
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