Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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137. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will condemn comments from United States officials which refused to rule out military action against the Solomon Islands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23557/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As a small island, Ireland recognises the challenges that many island nations face. Like Ireland, the Solomon Islands, as one of the Small Island Developing States and as a member of the Pacific islands Forum, are strong supporters of the rules-based international order, with the United Nations at its core.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is aware that China has signed a minimum five-year security agreement with the Solomon Islands last month, however the detail of this agreement between the two countries has not yet been made public. This is primarily a matter for the Solomon Islands Government. However, together with our partners in the European Union, Ireland closely monitors security issues in the Indo-Pacific region. The EU’s Indo-Pacific Strategy includes commitments to step up EU engagement in the region, including with the South Pacific, to contribute to the region’s stability, security, prosperity and sustainable development, in line with the principles of democracy, rule of law, human rights and international law.

I am aware that a senior US delegation visited the Solomon Islands last week and met with Prime Minister Sogavare. I understand that the US delegation raised their concerns about the deal and the possibility of steps being taken to establish a permanent military presence on the Solomon Islands. I understand that the US Administration’s strategy will involve pursuing stronger co-operation with the Solomon Islands, including expediting the opening of a US Embassy and advancing co-operation on climate, health and people-to-people ties.

We continue to monitor developments through our Embassies in the region (in Canberra, Australia and Wellington, New Zealand) and through our engagement with the US administration in Washington D.C.