MPs approve ratification with eight abstentions, accepting a framework for peace-building cooperation that keeps funding voluntary and requires Armenia’s consent for particular missions.
Armenia’s parliament approved ratification of the Board of Peace Charter on 28 October, endorsing a framework for peace-building cooperation under Armenian law. Hetq gives 92 votes in favour, none against and eight abstentions, conflicting with Armenpress’s tally of 90 votes in favour and eight abstentions.
The vote followed Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s signing of the charter on 22 January and Armenia’s Constitutional Court ruling on 15 September that its obligations comply with the constitution.
| Account | In favour | Against | Abstentions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Armenpress | 90 | Not stated | 8 |
| Hetq | 92 | 0 | 8 |
The governing Civil Contract faction, whose platform advances the peace agenda, a peace treaty with Azerbaijan and normalisation with Azerbaijan and Turkey, supported ratification alongside the opposition Strong Armenia faction. The opposition Armenia (Hayastan) faction abstained.
The first National Security Strategy in two decades commits to deeper European cooperation as Canada and the European Union discuss closer ties.
2 min
Speaking for Civil Contract, Nazeli Baghdasaryan said accession was an important part of Armenia’s foreign policy and regional peace efforts, rather than simply ratification of an international organization’s charter.
The charter says the board seeks to promote stability, restore dependable and lawful governance, and secure lasting peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict. Armenia’s Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said on 27 October that participation was important for deepening political contacts and cooperation with the US and other members.
Members must support and assist board operations consistently with their domestic legal powers. Each state is represented by its head of state or government; a senior official may attend meetings instead with the chairman’s approval.
Those duties do not give the board legal authority within Armenia’s territory or require Armenia to join a particular peace-building mission without its consent. The Constitutional Court stressed that such consent must be explicitly expressed.
Mirzoyan said financial contributions were voluntary and Armenia had made none as of 27 October. Article 5.1 of the charter likewise provides for voluntary funding from member states and other contributors, rather than mandatory member payments.
Hetq describes a 28-state body with renewable three-year membership terms, matching Mirzoyan’s 27 October account. The charter specifies terms of no more than three years from its entry into force, renewable by the chairman. That limit does not apply to states contributing more than US$1 billion in cash within the charter’s first year in force.
Each member has one vote. Decisions require a majority of members present and voting, plus approval by the chairman, whom the charter names initially as Donald Trump. The chairman may also cast a deciding vote in a tie.
A state can withdraw immediately by giving the chairman written notice. Membership also ends when a term expires without renewal, when the board dissolves, or through removal by the chairman. Two-thirds of member states can block a removal. A state whose membership ends also ceases to be a party to the charter.
Signing did not start provisional application of the charter for Armenia. The Constitutional Court said government documents showed that Pashinyan had notified the chairman at signing that domestic legal requirements prevented this. Armenia’s embassy in the US also confirmed that position to the US State Department.
The charter sets its general entry-into-force threshold at consent to be bound by three states. It names the US as depositary—the country responsible for holding the original charter and its amendments. Under Article 2.1, an invited state’s membership begins upon notification that it has consented to be bound by the charter.
Ukraine’s ombudsman plans food and medical aid for about 2,000 people in the Russian-occupied city on October 30, with mine clearance still under way.
3 min
The change applies across pension schemes from 28 October 2026. Where the member died before 75 and had enough remaining allowance, delays beyond two years no longer make lump sums taxable.
4 min
