Robert ABISOGHOMONYAN, Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia, handed over, on 15 May 2026, to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain BERSET, the instrument of ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions (CETS No. 215), also known as the Macolin Convention.

The ceremony took place in Chișinău, on the margins of the 135th Session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, held on 14 and 15 May 2026 in the Republic of Moldova.

Armenia thus becomes the 16th State Party to the Macolin Convention. The Macolin Convention shall enter into force in respect of Armenia on 1 September 2026.

This new ratification confirms the growing momentum behind the Macolin Convention and marks another important step in the recognition of this unique international legal instrument to combat the manipulation of sports competitions. By joining the Convention, Armenia reinforces the collective commitment of Council of Europe member States to protect the integrity of sport through stronger cooperation between public authorities, sports organisations, competition organisers and sports betting operators.