On September 18, in The Hague, a ceremony dedicated to Armenia’s accession to the Permanent Court of Arbitration was held at the Peace Palace.

The event was attended by the President of the International Criminal Court, representatives of the Royal House of the Netherlands, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the OPCW, the Carnegie Foundation, as well as heads of diplomatic missions accredited in The Hague.

The event was attended by the President of the International Criminal Court, representatives of the Royal House of the Netherlands, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the OPCW, the Carnegie Foundation, as well as heads of diplomatic missions accredited in The Hague.

The Secretary-General of the Permanent Court of Arbitration emphasized in his remarks that Armenia’s accession to the Court is fully in line with the ambitious political vision, which emphasizes the importance of effective mechanisms for investment dispute resolution in today's interconnected global economy, as well as advancing national development goals.

Acting President of the Court’s Administrative Council, Juraj Podhorský noted that the ratification of the founding Conventions of the Court clearly demonstrates how much multilateralism and peaceful dispute settlement matter for Armenia. 

There is a beautiful tradition of national chairs to which every PCA contracting party is entitled. Each of these chairs, through the special woodwork, craftsmanship, use of the most elegant textiles, and special embroidery, constitutes a unique piece of art. Each of these chairs bears the coat of arms of a PCA contracting party, symbolizing sovereignty of the state and the central role of states who established and govern the court.

The full text of Minister Mirzoyan’s remarks is presented below.

Honourable Acting President of the Administrative Council,

Honourable Secretary-General of the Permanent Court of Arbitration,

Distinguished Colleagues, 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is both a pleasure and an honor to be here today at the Permanent Court of Arbitration. I would like to begin by expressing my sincere gratitude for the warm welcome extended to our delegation and for the open and constructive dialogue that has accompanied Armenia’s accession to the founding Conventions of the Permanent Court of Arbitration. I would also like to extend our appreciation to the Kingdom of the Netherlands - both as the host country of the Court and as the Depositary of two Conventions - for its unwavering support to international legal institutions and the rule of law in general. 

With the accession to the Conventions for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes, concluded at The Hague in 1899 and 1907, the Republic of Armenia became the 125th Contracting Party of the Permanent Court of Arbitration. It feels a little bit symbolic that Armenia became the 125th member just as the Court marked 125 years of service to justice and the rule of law last year. 

As a newly acceded member of the Court, Armenia acknowledges its commitment to upholding the Court’s mandate of strengthening the rule of law and fostering international cooperation – values that are deeply rooted in Armenia’s legal commitments and international aspirations.

At a time when the international system faces growing pressures, we believe that institutions like the Permanent Court of Arbitration - with their long-standing tradition of neutrality, legal excellence, and constructive dialogue - are more essential than ever.

The Court’s role in facilitating arbitration and other means of dispute resolution between states, state entities, international organizations and private parties is both historic and forward-looking. It provides a vital platform for upholding international legal norms and fostering cooperation grounded in law and mutual respect.

Armenia sees its accession to the PCA Conventions as part of a broader vision: to reinforce the international order based on international law and safeguard the place of justice in international relations. We are confident that by deepening our involvement in international legal developments, we are strengthening our ability to contribute meaningfully to the international legal order. This is also why the Republic of Armenia acceded as the 124th State Party to the Rome Statute last year. 

Armenia’s decision to join the Court is also a reflection of our own national experience. We know, perhaps better than many, the importance of impartial mechanisms of dispute settlement, where law prevails over force and dialogue over coercion. It is in this spirit that Armenia views the PCA as a bridge to a more just and peaceful future.

Joining this community of nations enhances Armenia’s investment climate by providing additional legal safeguards. The Government of the Republic of Armenia recognizes that the modern investment environment relies not only on bold ideas and economic opportunities, but also on trust and that state policy should consistently be 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.

Excellencies,

As we mark this important milestone, I wish to reaffirm Armenia’s full support for the mission and mandate of the Court. We stand ready to contribute as a committed partner to the shared goal of advancing the peaceful settlement of disputes through international law.

Let me conclude by emphasizing that Armenia’s accession is a pledge to work actively with all member states, the Court, and the wider international community to make dialogue, law, and peace the cornerstones of our common future.

Thank you.