Monday, February 12 2024 14:51

ArmInfo.Before the possible visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Armenia,  certain assurances are needed from Armenian partners in connection with Yerevan's accession to the ICC. Russian President Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated in a conversation with Russian media  representativees.

"We have already said that, the new reality associated with Armenia's  accession to this international statute, of course, cannot but have a  negative impact on our bilateral relations. Of course, it is very  important here to receive certain assurances from our Armenian  partners. This issue is still will have to be resolved within the  framework of a bilateral dialogue, which is what we are determined to  do," Peskov said, RIA Novosti reports.

Yesterday Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan did not give a  direct answer to the question of British journalist Roland Oliphant  of The Telegraph about whether Russian President Vladimir Putin will  be arrested if he arrives in Yerevan.

At its meeting on October 3, 2023, the National Assembly of the   Republic of Armenia ratified the Rome Statute of the International   Criminal Court. After the document was ratified by parliament, it was   signed by the president of the country and came into force 60 days   after the completion of internal state procedures.  According to   Armenia's representative on international legal matters,  Yeghishe    Kirakosyan, the ICC mainly considers crimes of genocide, crimes    against humanity, war crimes and crimes of aggression. The  Court  may  exercise its functions and powers, as provided in this  Statute,  in  the territory of any State Party and, by special  agreement, in  the  territory of any other State.  Kirakosyan noted that  ratification of this document will make it   possible to initiate  proceedings at the ICC against Azerbaijan for   war crimes committed  in Artsakh, where the forced deportation of the   population actually  took place, as well as for aggression against   Armenia. Without this  document, Armenia had practically no mechanisms  to hold Baku  accountable.  On March 17 of this year, the ICC issued  an arrest  warrant for  Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, the  Armenian  side notes  that the ratification of the document is not  directed  against Russia.  Later, a source in the Russian Foreign  Ministry  reported that the  Russian side warned their Armenian  partners about  the extremely  negative consequences of possible  accession to the  Rome Statute for  relations with Russia.  Russian Foreign Ministry  also added that Moscow considers Yerevan's   plans to join the Rome  Statute of the ICC unacceptable against the   backdrop of warrants  against the leadership of the Russian   Federation