State Department on Rome Statute ratification by Armenia

Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of
State Vedant Patel commented on the ratification of the Rome Statute by the
Armenian National Assembly at his press briefing.

“We respect Armenia’s sovereignty and independence, and
we’ll leave it to Armenia’s Government to comment on its legislative processes,
of course. We respect the right of every country to join the ICC,” he said.

Patel refused to answer the question whether the U.S. would
step up and defend Armenia against potential Russian aggression, given the
increasing rhetoric coming out of Russia, threatening Armenia for the very step
it has taken.

“The United States is going to continue to play a role in
engaging with Azerbaijani and Armenian leadership at the highest levels to
pursue a dignified and durable peace. And you’ve also seen us, over the course
of this past week and beyond, reiterate our call for a longer-term,
independent, international monitoring mission in Nagorno-Karabakh to provide
transparency and reassurances that the rights and securities of ethnic
Armenians will be protected, particularly for those who may wish to return, and
for the protection of cultural heritage sites, which all of course is in line
with Azerbaijan’s public statements and their international obligations as
well,” he said.