Armenia hosts first-ever visit by ICC president as cooperation deepens

Armenian Prosecutor General Anna Vardapetyan held talks with Tomoko Akane, the President of the International Criminal Court, during a meeting at her residence in Armenia, marking the first-ever visit by a sitting ICC president to the country, according to the Prosecutor General’s Office.

Citing Armenian media, Caliber.Az reported that Vardapetyan described the visit as a clear indication of Armenia’s willingness to expand and deepen its cooperation with the Court. The discussions focused on advancing bilateral engagement, strengthening institutional ties, and enhancing the professional capabilities of prosecutors, particularly in the investigation of international crimes and the collection of evidence.

A key component of the talks also addressed mechanisms for protecting victims and witnesses, an issue highlighted as a priority on the agenda. Vardapetyan expressed interest in launching joint retraining initiatives with the ICC, as well as expanding technical cooperation and fostering the exchange of expertise. She emphasised the importance of maintaining a victim-oriented approach in judicial processes.

Both Vardapetyan and Akane reaffirmed their commitment to developing effective and transparent frameworks for cooperation and to sustaining a constructive and ongoing dialogue between Armenia and the Court.

The meeting was attended by Viktor Biyagov, Armenia’s Ambassador to the Netherlands, Hiram Abtahi, Head of the ICC Office, along with other officials.

Armenia officially became a member of the International Criminal Court on February 1, 2024, after acceding to the Rome Statute as its 124th State Party and the 19th member from the Eastern European group.

By Tamilla Hasanova