Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue. The situation in Nagorno-Karabakh remains a matter of the gravest concern, particularly in light of the fallout from the military action initiated by Azerbaijan in the region on 19 September. Ensuring the welfare and protection of civilians who remain there, as well as of those who have fled to Armenia, including through the facilitation of humanitarian access where there are needs, remains at the core of Ireland's response.

We continue to co-ordinate closely with our EU partners in this regard. These most recent developments follow a particularly difficult and traumatic ten-month period during which the movement of people, goods and vehicles from Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh via the Lachin corridor has been obstructed by Azerbaijan. This land corridor was considered a lifeline for the Karabakh Armenians. I emphasised Ireland’s concerns regarding the impact of the ongoing obstruction of movement on civilians during my call with the Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Mirzoyan, on 11 August, which he sought.

The situation has since deteriorated, as the Deputy said, following Azerbaijan’s military escalation on 19 September. Ireland has been vocal in its condemnation of this action, amplifying the respective statements of High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Mr. Josep Borrell, on 19 and 21 September, and co-ordinating closely with our European Union partners in the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, OSCE, and at the United Nations. We also expressed our concerns regarding the situation in our national statement at the Human Rights Council in Geneva on 26 September.

There have been recent meetings between Baku and the Karabakh Armenians, and we reiterate our call for a genuine, comprehensive and transparent dialogue to ensure that the rights and security of the Karabakh Armenians are protected. I also welcome that a United Nations mission arrived in the region on 1 October to report on the situation.

We are all particularly alarmed at reports of the mass exodus of Karabakh Armenians that is currently taking place from the region, with more than 100,000 of the 120,000-population reported as having left Nagorno-Karabakh for Armenia to date. It is heartbreaking to see men, women and children of all ages leaving and taking what they can from their homes with them.

Azerbaijan bears responsibility for the rights and security of the local population, including the right to remain in their homes without fear of intimidation as well as the right to return for those displaced. Ireland is actively supporting the humanitarian response through the Start Fund and People in Need, whose representatives are on the ground assisting vulnerable people displaced by the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. Ireland’s support will ensure people fleeing Nagorno-Karabakh have access to essential basic goods and services. Ireland also provides significant core funding to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, and the International Committee of the Red Cross, ICRC, which are playing a large part in the response.

The European Commission has announced an additional package of humanitarian aid of €5.2 million on top of the €20.8 million already provided since 2020 to support vulnerable people remaining in Nagorno-Karabakh, and those who have been displaced. The European Union is also playing an active role in efforts to resolve the long-standing conflict in the region. European Council President Michel has been personally involved in efforts to de-escalate the situation.

On 26 September, the European Union facilitated discussion between Armenian and Azerbaijani officials with a view to preparing for the next meeting at leader level, which we hope will take place as soon as possible. We hope that this week’s meeting of the European Political Community may provide an opportunity to advance diplomatic efforts. Ireland fully supports President Michel and EU Special Representative Klaar in their efforts to facilitate dialogue to build a lasting, comprehensive peace in the region. Ireland also fully supports the European Union mission to Armenia, which was established in January of this year. The mission is tasked with monitoring the situation in conflict-affected and border areas in Armenia to reduce the level of risks for the population and to contribute to the normalisation of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan on the ground.

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