Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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506. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the situation in the Ukraine remains on the agenda at European Union Council meetings; the extent to which positive indications continue to be identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45686/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The situation in Ukraine remains a key concern for the European Union. On Monday, the Foreign Affairs Council considered Ukraine as part of a broader discussion on Eastern Partners and it is expected that Ministers will discuss Ukraine, again, early in the New Year. The European Council meets today and tomorrow in Brussels where Ukraine will feature on the agenda.

As the deadline of 31 December approaches for the implementation of key provisions of the Minsk agreements, it has been widely acknowledged that this deadline will not be fully met. Notable progress has been seen in a number of areas. The security situation in Eastern Ukraine – while remaining tense and volatile – has improved considerably since a ceasefire was agreed on 1 September. This respite in violence has provided an opportunity for progress within the context of the OSCE Trilateral Contact Group and their four working groups and within the framework of Normandy Format discussions (France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine).

The Minsk agreements continue to offer the only basis for a stable and lasting political resolution to this conflict and the European Union will continue to support and facilitate their full implementation as a matter of urgency.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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507. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the international community continues to monitor and support the democratic structures emerging in Myanmar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45687/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The recent elections in Myanmar, which attracted significant international attention, mark a historic moment in the country’s democratic transition. Along with my counterparts in the EU and the wider international community, I welcome the broadly peaceful and well-organised manner in which the elections were carried out, while stressing that the legal framework of the electoral process must be improved to ensure that it is fully inclusive and representative.

Nevertheless, it is recognised by the international community that the country is still at an early stage of its democratic transition and that it faces a wide range of challenges in the coming years as it seeks to strengthen its democratic structures. Reflecting this, the UN General Assembly Third Committee unanimously adopted a resolution on the promotion and protection of human rights on 18 November 2015, which among other issues, encourages the international community to continue to support the Government of Myanmar in the implementation of its democratic transitional process.

The EU continues to monitor and support Myanmar’s democratic transition closely, both on the ground, and at political and working group level in Brussels. The Comprehensive Framework for the EU’s policy and support to Myanmar, adopted by the Foreign Affairs Council in July 2013, sets out the context for this support. Noting that human rights and fundamental freedoms are essential elements of democracy, the framework outlines the areas in which the EU has committed to providing support, assistance, and advice, including support to strengthen the electoral system in Myanmar, engagement in constitutional review, ratification and implementation of core human rights conventions, strengthening democratic institutions and rule of law, and interaction with civil society.

Along with the wider international community, Ireland is committed to supporting Myanmar in its transition towards democracy. Ireland actively participated in the EU’s recent Electoral Observation Mission, which included three observers supported by Irish Aid and a representative from the Embassy of Ireland in Hanoi. Since 2013 Ireland has established a modest development programme in Myanmar of €500,000 per annum, overseen by Embassy Hanoi. Support is provided through trusted development partners for both long term development work and emergency/recovery responses. This is particularly important in the light of the recent elections and the need for continued support and engagement in Myanmar’s transition to democracy.

Furthermore, as part of Ireland’s efforts to enhance governance, human rights and gender equality in Myanmar, some €3 million has been provided to partner organisations since 2012; including €2.8 million support to Trócaire for their work supporting communities to defend and protect their rights to land and efforts to increase women’s participation in decision making at a local level. In addition, almost €2 million in humanitarian funding has been provided to Irish Aid NGO partners in Myanmar since 2012 to meet needs arising from conflict, food insecurity and natural disasters.

Upon their appointment, I strongly encourage the new leaders of the country to seize the positive momentum of the elections to make further progress in the democratisation process in Myanmar.