Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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321. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will detail the relationships between Ireland and the Republic of Armenia (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26320/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for her interest in the Irish-Armenian bilateral relationship.

As the Deputy will be aware, trade policy within the European Union is a competence of the EU institutions, rather than national governments. The new EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) entered into force on 1 March 2021. It aims to intensify EU-Armenia co-operation in numerous sectors including the economy, business and trade, education. With the support of the EU, Armenia has agreed to undertake reforms in areas such as rule of law, democracy, good governance, judicial independence, anti-corruption, human rights, and the economy. The fourth EU-Armenia Partnership Council was held in Brussels on 18 May 2022.

The European Commission also has competence to act on behalf of Member States in relation to trade and investment treaties, including Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs). Consequently, Member States have not concluded BITs with third countries since the adoption of the Treaty.

Armenia is set to benefit considerably under the EU’s Economic and Investment Plan for Armenia. Announced in July 2021, €1.6bn is available in grants, soft loans and guarantees for five flagship initiatives, with up to €1bn potentially available in private sector financing. Armenia is also a member of the EU's Eastern Partnership mechanism.

The Irish Ambassador to Bulgaria, H.E. Martina Feeney, is accredited to Armenia on a non-resident basis and presented her credentials to President Sarkissian in October 2021. H.E. Varuzhan Nersesyan was appointed as Ambassador to UK and Ireland in July 2021, formally requesting agrément in January 2022. Ireland’s Honorary Consul in Armenia since 2010 has been Jonathan Stark, while the Honorary Consul of Armenia in Ireland since 2008 is Ohan Yergainharsian. 

The Irish community in Armenia is very small, consisting of about 20-25 citizens, many of whom left in 2020 due to the pandemic and the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. There are a number of academic and private sector links between the two countries.

Ireland’s trade with Armenia is relatively low, amounting to approximately €1 million annually. The main exports are essential oils and office and data processing machines. The majority of imports are in the categories of clothing, accessories and non-ferrous metals. 

There are no current plans for high-level visits between Ireland and Armenia. Invitations for State Visits or Official Visits by foreign Heads of State are issued by the President, with a very limited number of such visits taking place each year.