Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 503: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position as it pertains in Georgia. [15514/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The current situation in Georgia, following the outbreak of conflict there in August 2008, is tense but relatively stable. Since the conflict, continued efforts by the international community, most notably the European Union, the United Nations and the Organisation for Security and Co-Operation in Europe, have helped to return stability to the region. Work is continuing with a view to achieving a sustainable resolution to the conflicts in the separatist regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The EU monitoring mission was deployed on 1 October 2008 in accordance with the arrangements set out in the agreement negotiated by the French EU Presidency on 8 September. Together with the missions provided by the UN and the OSCE, the EU mission continues to play a vital role in monitoring the situation on the ground in Georgia. Ireland has contributed four personnel to the EU monitoring mission. EU member states, including Ireland, have provided vital humanitarian assistance to those affected by fighting. The peace talks that were inaugurated in Geneva on 15 October 2008 remain an essential element in achieving dialogue between the Russian Federation and Georgia. The fifth round of these talks is scheduled for 18 and 19 May 2009 in Geneva. As regards developments within Georgia, the Deputy may be aware that a large protest took place in Tbilisi on 9 April 2009 which called for the resignation of President Mikheil Saakashvili. The demonstration passed off peacefully and without incident. Ireland, together with its EU partners, supports the territorial integrity of Georgia and will continue to monitor the situation there closely and support every effort to find a lasting and peaceful resolution to this conflict.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 504: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position as it pertains in Moldova. [15515/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that the parliamentary elections in Moldova took place on 5 April and resulted in a victory for the ruling Communist Party. On 6 April, the Organisation for Security and Co-Operation in Europe's office of democratic institutions and human rights released a statement noting that the elections had met many international standards but that further improvements were required, including the need to ensure public confidence in the process. Ireland contributed one long-term observer and ten short-term observers to the election observation mission. I understand that protests took place after the election which started off peacefully. However, after the outbreak of violent incidents, the Moldovan government arrested a number of demonstrators. In a related development, the government accused the opposition of plotting to overthrow it and blamed Romania for instigating the demonstrations, a charge Romania denies. My information is that a number of steps have been taken against Romanian interests in the country. At the request of Romania, the situation in Moldova will be discussed at the meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council that I will attend next Monday, 27 April. The EU will continue to make every effort to ensure stability in Moldova and to encourage dialogue between the Moldovan government and opposition. In doing so, however, it will not lose sight of the need to draw the attention of the Moldovan government to its international obligations in regard to the rule of law and human rights for those arrested in the period following the election.