Armenia has ambassador to US with expired term of office
The Hraparak daily of Armenia reported: On August 2, 2021, by presidential decree, Lilit Makunts was appointed Armenia’s ambassador to the US for a four-year term of office. Consequently, the ambassador’s term of office expired on August 2, 2025.
The president has not adopted any individual legal act on the extension of the ambassador’s term of office, and in fact, the Armenian ambassador to Washington is not authorized to act on behalf of the Republic of Armenia since August 3.
Of course, there may be justifications that according to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the ambassador continues her activities until the arrival of a new ambassador, or other regulations apply in the practice of the host country, etc.
However, from the point of view of Armenia’s domestic law, Lilit Makunts is considered an expired ambassador since August 3 and, according to domestic law, cannot act on behalf of Armenia due to the expiration of her term of office.
Let us recall also that the next ambassador’s agrément has already been received from the US. Minister of [Labor and] Social Affairs Narek Mkrtchyan will leave for the US. However, it is not clear why the departure is delayed.
Let us note also that, Mkrtchyan’s appointment [as the next Armenian ambassador to the US] was not unanimously assessed within the [Armenian] authorities. They believe that he has failed in the position of ambassador and should not have been appointed [Armenia’s] ambassador to such an important country.
