The 44-day war of 2020 and its aftermath brought unprecedented security threats and challenges for Armenia. As a result, the country, which had no prior experience of being party to any interstate disputes before international courts and tribunals, found itself in need of actively utilizing the international legal judicial mechanisms to advance its legal claims, to seek security, justice and accountability.

I strongly believe that international law has an immense value as an important security tool, especially for such countries as Armenia, acting as legal “weapon” that can be used to minimize or prevent such security threats in hostile environments, meanwhile using these mechanisms to seek justice by invoking the responsibility of the breaching state when violations of international law have already occurred. 

As an international law enthusiast, I am hugely motivated to be part of Armenia’s international legal team in the proceedings before the International Court of Justice in the case brought by Armenia against Azerbaijan under the Convention on Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) and other interstate proceedings. I am entrusted to lead the newly established Department on the Protection of the Interests of Armenia in Interstate Disputes at the Office of the Representative of Armenia on International Legal Matters, thus being given the chance to manage Armenia’s representation in international courts and tribunals. Currently however, having no prior experience in interstate legal disputes, Armenia has no other choice but to heavily rely on external legal support. 

My passion for international law was first truly ignited during my participation in the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition. The important experience of preparing and pleading for both national and international rounds not only proved to be successful as our team achieved the highest rank for an Armenian team in the international rounds in Washington DC but also served as an inspiration for me to dedicate my academic and professional career to international law. I continue to be part of the Jessup family by regularly judging in various national championship rounds in Armenia and other countries, which I think is instrumental in helping to popularize international law, encouraging students to be intrigued enough to pursue this path in their professional careers and academic lives.

My professional journey is characterized by a blend of experiences in both the public and private sectors. I am fortunate to be given a chance throughout these years to serve my country doing what I love. Currently, after completing two master’s degrees and a PhD degree in international law in Armenia and gaining important professional experience throughout more than 7 years, I feel the need to challenge myself further academically and professionally, pursuing an LLM degree at Harvard Law School, which has a strong scholastic focus on international law. 

Considering the crucial importance of interstate proceedings now pending before international courts and arbitral tribunals with Armenia as an active party and being centrally involved in these processes, I hope to be able to use the education that I will receive in the US to advance the capacity within Armenia’s government’s international legal team.

Having taught to the students for the past 7 years, I also recently co-founded a new LLM program on “International Courts and Arbitration” at Yerevan State University, aiming to foster and popularize international law in Armenia, with sustained value-based, high-level, English language education. I currently teach at the program, among experienced professors from Armenia and visiting professors from abroad. I also serve at the program’s advisory board, helping with its further growth and strategic development. Thus, I hope that the education that I will receive at Harvard Law School will also help me in disseminating international law in Armenia, and inspiring younger professionals to pursue their path in international law, with the same eventual aim of developing strong institutional core capacity for Armenia.

I am convinced that learning is an everlasting process and a virtue that is most valued when shared. In this mode of thinking I have been inspired by my professors, collegues and friends who had opportunities to receive education in the top universities of the world and who have showed their commitment for ethical leadership and sharing. I think that I myself have reached a point in my academic and professional career where I feel the need of making that next important step. I want to inspire others.

I am aware that Huys Foundation is granting the Huys Scholarship to me with the anticipation of my good faith pursuit and implementation of the projects and undertakings described in this letter, to which I hereby commit.