Armenia Abstains From Voting on the Council of Europe Resolution Regarding Russian Aggression Against Ukraine

On April 26, Armenia voted in favor of a resolution at the United Nations concerning collaboration between the Council of Europe and the United Nations, aimed at strengthening cooperation to promote the rule of law and democracy, as well as freedom of speech and thought, and combating terrorism and trafficking.

The resolution was supported by representatives from 122 states, 18 abstained, and 5 voted against, including Russia, North Korea, and Belarus.

“Armenia is a member of the Council of Europe, and various institutions that operate within its framework are of great importance for Armenia in terms of human rights protection and democratic development. This resolution also pursues such goals and has such emphases; thus, it would be strange for Armenia not to join in the adoption of this resolution,” said the Chairman of the National Assembly’s Foreign Relations Committee, Sargis Khandanyan, according to Radio Liberty.

After the vote, news circulated in Armenian and Russian media, as well as social networks, suggesting that Armenia had agreed to a resolution condemning Russian aggression against Ukraine and Georgia, while the resolution itself calls for compensation for the damage done to Ukraine.

This document, adopted last week, indeed includes a call for “providing compensation to the victims of the Ukrainian war and holding accountable those who have violated international law” within the framework of UN and Council of Europe cooperation.

Did Armenia change its stance, and is it no longer abstaining from voting on resolutions labeling Russia as an aggressor? Radio Liberty inquired of the Chairman of the National Assembly's Foreign Relations Committee, who advised checking the details with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Essentially, Armenia joined the entire resolution, and the resolution should be viewed in its entirety rather than focusing on a single paragraph that contains differing emphases,” the representative added.