John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

118. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on reports of escalating violence between Armenia and Azerbaijan. [28454/20]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

126. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position of Ireland on the ongoing conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28445/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 126 together.

I am deeply concerned by the recent clashes in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, in particular along the line of contact, which have regrettably led to the loss of life and severe injury, including civilian casualties.

Ireland joins those calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to the negotiating table, and we welcome and support the Statements of the EU through High Representative Borrell and the OSCE Minsk Co-Chairs calling for this.

I welcome the expression of support by Security Council Members for Secretary-General Guterres’s call for an immediate halt to the fighting, and for the central role of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. Ireland will continue to support these efforts, including when we join the United Nations Security Council in January of next year.

Ireland urges both sides to de-escalate tensions by refraining from inflammatory rhetoric and strictly observing the ceasefire. Only through negotiation, can there be a sustainable resolution and eventual reconciliation. The road to a peaceful resolution can be long and complex, as Ireland knows well, but progress grows from dialogue. Ireland fully supports the Minsk Process and we thank both the High Representative and the Co-Chairs Group for their efforts to de-escalate tensions over recent months.

We will continue to monitor this evolving situation closely.