Armenia to Refute Azerbaijan's Ridiculous Demands, Yeghishe Kirakosyan

Armenia will refute Azerbaijan's unfounded claims, according to Yeghishe Kirakosyan, Armenia's representative on international legal issues, who announced this on his social media page.

“Armenia will refute Azerbaijan's unfounded claims, including its ridiculous demand for compensation in the arbitration under the 1979 Bern Convention,” he wrote.

Earlier, it was reported that Armenia received the claim submitted by the Republic of Azerbaijan in the arbitration case initiated under the 1979 Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats on February 12, 2025.

The office of the representative on international legal issues noted that this follows the procedural timetable approved by the arbitration tribunal after the first procedural hearing scheduled for April 12, 2024, during which a series of favorable decisions for the Republic of Armenia were made. Armenia will continue to vigorously defend its position in this proceeding.

Azerbaijan's legal stance is based on an interpretation and application of the Bern Convention that does not align with its goals and objectives, which aim to promote cooperation between states to conserve wild flora and fauna and their natural habitats.

Contrary to Azerbaijan's claims, reports from the UN Environment Program and other independent bodies indicate that Azerbaijan itself is responsible for the environmental damage inflicted in recent years.

Armenia will refute Azerbaijan's unfounded demands, including the compensation claim. Since becoming a party to the Bern Convention, Armenia has consistently adhered to its commitment to preserve the region's wildlife and natural environment. This is reflected in both Armenia's environmental policy and its active involvement in the work of the Permanent Committee of the Bern Convention.