Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Collins for his question. Armenia is undergoing a period of rapid political change. Following the Velvet Revolution of spring 2018, Nikol Pashinyan inherited a country facing serious corruption and human rights problems. Ireland watched the spring 2018 events with great interest. The revolution presented a remarkably peaceful transition of political power and was followed by a five-year government programme, which contained a series of political, economic and judicial reforms while also focusing on governance, enhancing the rule of law, fighting corruption and improving the protection of human rights. The purpose of the agreement is to provide a framework for further strengthening the bilateral relationship between the EU and Armenia in order that this work can continue. The EU's commitment is based on a commitment to promoting respect for democratic principles and enhancing fundamental human rights. The agreement also covers co-operation across a number of sectoral areas, including people-to-people relations and strengthening civil society and co-operation in education, culture, research and innovation.

Armenia is probably in a place that Ireland was many years ago, in that it is beginning a journey of transition. The more that we engage at all levels with Armenia, the greater the influence that we can have to encourage reform. By ratifying the agreement, we can influence Armenia from within the fold of the EU, which is exactly from where we should be doing it. Should we choose not to ratify the agreement, we can only observe from the sidelines while others continue to engage effectively and press for the kinds of reform that need to happen. Ireland engages with human rights in Armenia through the EU, the Council of Europe and the OSCE by ensuring that focused attention remains on human rights issues. As such, it is critical that Ireland ratify this agreement and play a central role in ensuring that reforms take place.