“By joining the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice, Latvia has demonstrated its commitment to the rule of law and a rules-based international order. Such step gives Latvia opportunity to defend against countries that may violate their international obligations towards Latvia,” said President Levits.
Declaration has been drafted following the adoption of law on recognition of ICJ compulsory jurisdiction by the Latvian parliament, Saeima, on 30 November 2017. International Court of Justice has been established by the United Nations. Latvia will now have the right to unilaterally or multilaterally seek to resolve an international dispute in the ICJ.
Since its founding in 1945, International Court of Justice has been the UN’s principal judicial organ for peaceful settlement of international disputes. Court’s ruling is binding on the state parties to the dispute. ICJ’s compulsory jurisdiction has so far been recognised by 73 states, including 23 EU member states, such as Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Finland, Sweden, and Denmark. In 1940, before being occupied, Latvia had already recognised the jurisdiction of ICJ’s predecessor, the Permanent Court of International Justice.
