The Government of Armenia has issued a statement in response to the decision of the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce (Case No. EA 2025/121, dated July 22, 2025), clarifying the scope and intent of its actions regarding the Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA).
According to the official announcement, the urgent arbitration ruling addresses issues that differ significantly from the objectives behind the government’s earlier decision to appoint a temporary administrator to the ENA. The government emphasized that this measure was implemented to:
- Prevent the deliberate creation of an energy crisis,
- Safeguard public order and eliminate potential threats to national security,
- Prevent the concealment of past abuses within the ENA and avoid further violations.
While Armenia recognizes and respects the security measures mandated by international arbitration bodies, the statement underscored that all parties must also adhere to the laws of the Republic of Armenia and relevant international treaties, which define the legal framework for the recognition and enforcement of arbitration decisions.
Earlier, the legal team representing Samvel Karapetyan — the owner of the ENA — had declared victory over the Armenian government in the international legal dispute concerning the intended nationalization of the utility company. The defense team noted that the arbitration tribunal concluded there was an urgent need to apply interim protective measures, citing serious concerns that the Armenian government’s actions may not align with the bilateral agreement between Armenia and Cyprus on the mutual protection of investments.
“The arbitration tribunal concluded that immediate interim measures are necessary, as the actions of the Republic of Armenia raise serious doubts about compliance with the Armenia-Cyprus Bilateral Investment Treaty,” the statement read.
