Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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22. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the engagements he had with his European counterparts regarding the blockade of the Lachin corridor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37469/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The ongoing obstruction of movement along the Lachin corridor and the consequent deteriorating humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh is a cause for considerable concern. Together with our European partners, we are following developments closely and continue to call on the Azerbaijani authorities to guarantee freedom and safety of movement along the Lachin corridor, in line with the preliminary measure indicated in the Order of the International Court of Justice on 22 February, which was reaffirmed on 6 July, as well as the interim measures indicated by the European Court of Human Rights on 21 December 2022.

On 11 August, I had a call with my Armenian counterpart, Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, on this issue. Minister Mirzoyan outlined the dire humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh resulting from the ongoing eight month blockade by Azerbaijan of the Lachin corridor, the only access route from Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh, which is home to 120,000 Armenians. Minister Mirzoyan emphasised in particular the difficult conditions for vulnerable groups, including pregnant women and some 30,000 children.

I expressed deep concern at the alarming reports of the deteriorating humanitarian situation and underlined that the impact of this conflict on the civilian population remains Ireland’s focus. At the emergency session of the UN Security Council convened on 16 August at Armenia’s request, the EU reiterated its call, which is strongly supported by Ireland, for direct dialogue between Baku and Karabakh Armenians.

On 24 August, Ireland's Ambassador to the Political and Security Committee, together with our EU colleagues, received an update from the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus, Toivo Klaar, who had recently visited the region and held meetings with high-level interlocutors in Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The EU remains fully engaged on this issue, and Ireland continues to support the mediation efforts of European Council President Michel aimed at facilitating a negotiated, comprehensive and sustainable settlement of the conflict, including on the long-term status of Nagorno-Karabakh. I am aware that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is the only international humanitarian body with access to Nagorno-Karabakh. Ireland commends its invaluable work to mitigate the suffering of civilians in the region and is deeply concerned by reports communicated by the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatovic on 28 August that the population is lacking essential medical supplies.

I discussed the deteriorating humanitarian situation with my European counterparts at an informal meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on 31 August. I also note the statement by the President of the European Council Charles Michel on 1 September, reiterating the EU’s support for the opening of the Lachin Corridor.

Ireland will continue to monitor the situation and to raise the welfare of the civilian community residing in Nagorno-Karabakh at the bilateral, EU and multi-lateral level.