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

I thank the Deputy for his continuing interest, commitment and advocacy on this issue. Tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan remain an issue of concern for Ireland and the European Union. I regularly discuss the situation in Armenia and the region with my European Union colleagues, most recently at the March meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council. The European Union has been playing an active role in mediation efforts aimed at securing an overarching peace agreement and the normalisation of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. This normalisation process must be based on the mutual recognition of sovereignty, inviolability of borders and the territorial integrity of both countries, a fact we have consistently emphasised to both Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Ireland condemned the September 2023 military escalation by Azerbaijan which caused over 100,000 Karabakh Armenians to flee their homes, creating an international humanitarian crisis. In response, Ireland and the EU have provided humanitarian assistance to support those affected. Ireland continues to raise the rights of Karabakh Armenians in bilateral meetings with Azerbaijani officials. We have been clear that those displaced must be allowed to return to their homes.

I welcome Armenia’s increasing European orientation in recent months as a positive opportunity for deepening relations and working towards peace in the south Caucasus. The announcement of a new EU-Armenia partnership agenda underlines the EU’s support for Armenia in light of current challenges. Ireland and the European Union are committed to deepening our relations with Armenia in all dimensions.

The European Union civilian crisis management mission to Armenia can also play an important role in the normalisation of relations. Ireland is fully supportive of the mission and its mandate. I am pleased that we have two Irish experts currently deployed with the mission. Ireland also supports the extension of the mandate of the European Union special representative for the south Caucasus, which is due to expire in August.

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