Armenia to refute Azerbaijan`s baseless claims under the Berne  Convention - statement

ArmInfo. On February 12, 2025, the Republic of Armenia received the Statement of Claim submitted by Azerbaijan in an arbitration case  under the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats of 1979 (the Berne Convention), as stated  by the Office of the Representative for International Legal Affairs of Armenia. 

"This follows a procedural calendar issued by the arbitral tribunal  after the first procedural hearing on 12 April 2024, during which  Armenia received several favourable rulings. Armenia will continue to  vigorously defend its position in these proceedings. Azerbaijan's  legal case is based on an interpretation and application of the Berne  Convention that does not comfort with its object and purpose, which  is to promote cooperation among States to conserve wild flora and  fauna and their natural habitats.

Contrary to what Azerbaijan's suggests, reports by the UN Environment  Programme and other independent bodies, in fact, make clear that it  is Azerbaijan  that has engaged in environmental damage  in recent  years.  Armenia will refute  Azerbaijan's baseless claims, as well as  its  demand for compensation. Since becoming a  State Party to the  Berne Convention, Armenia has remained committed to upholding its  commitment to the conservation of the region's wildlife and  preservation of the environment. This is reflected, inter alia, in  Armenia's environmental record and its active engagement with the  work of the Berne Convention's Standing Committee," the Office said  in a statement.

The day before, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry announced that  Azerbaijan had filed arbitration claim against Armenia.