Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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210. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will support the Argentinian Government in its peaceful and democratic quest for sovereignty over the Malvinas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38601/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The question of the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) has been the subject of resolutions adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations, as well as its special committee on decolonisation. In its most recent resolution, adopted on 25 June 2015, the committee expressed its regret that, in spite of the widespread international support for negotiation between the two Governments, implementation of General Assembly resolutions on the question had not yet started. The two Governments were requested to consolidate the current process of dialogue and cooperation through the resumption of negotiations in order to find as soon as possible a peaceful solution to the dispute relating to the question of the Falkland Islands (Malvinas), in accordance with resolutions 2065 (XX) and 3160 (XXVIII), among others.

I would encourage the UK and Argentina, two countries with which Ireland has excellent bilateral relations, to pursue a peaceful resolution of their differences on this matter, based on the relevant UN resolutions.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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211. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will support the vote of the United Nations on 27 October 2015 in support of a resolution calling for an end to the blockade of Cuba by the United States of America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38602/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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On 27 October, Ireland joined with the rest of the EU Member States in voting in favour of Cuba’s resolution at the UN General Assembly in New York, which called for the ending of the US economic, commercial and financial embargo on Cuba. In light of the welcome restoration of US-Cuba diplomatic relations earlier this year, the embargo serves no constructive purpose. Ireland, along with the other member states of the European Union, is firmly of the view that the lifting of the embargo would facilitate an opening of the Cuban economy to the benefit of the Cuban people. Our concerns about economic, commercial and financial measures against Cuba which are contrary to commonly accepted rules of international trade are long-standing and clear. We object to unilaterally imposed measures that impede the economic and commercial relations of EU member states with Cuba.

In supporting Cuba’s resolution calling for an end to the US embargo, the EU also highlighted recent progress in talks to finalise the EU-Cuba Partnership, Cooperation and Dialogue agreement. Through this future framework agreement, the EU is ready to accompany Cuba on its path of reform and modernisation. Human rights form a key part of the EU-Cuba dialogue, and I urge the Cuban Government to fully grant its citizens internationally recognized civil, political and economic rights and freedoms.

In last week’s UN General Assembly debate on the US embargo against Cuba, the EU recognised that the embargo contributes to Cuba’s economic problems, negatively affects the living standards of the Cuban people and has humanitarian consequences. However, the Union also encouraged Cuba to extend and implement the package of economic and social reforms that were adopted by the Cuban parliament in 2011, in a manner that would meet the concerns of the Cuban people.