Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has experienced periodic conflict over many decades, with an increase in insecurity and violence in eastern DRC in recent months, ahead of elections due to take place in December 2023.

The ongoing conflict in eastern DRC is driven by a number of factors, including competing attempts by armed groups to control the rich mineral resources of the region. Ireland has stressed the importance of regional efforts to address this situation.

We worked closely with our EU partners on the development of a new EU strategy for the wider Great Lakes region that was adopted earlier this year, with a particular focus on the eastern provinces of the DRC. Ireland has worked closely with EU partners on implementing a common approach. Ireland has also actively contributed to agreement on the sanctions regime in respect of DRC. The EU has restrictive measures in place in respect of individuals for acts that constitute serious human rights violations and abusesand for sustaining the armed conflict, instability and insecurityin the DRC. The listings include individuals in non-state armed groups active in the Eastern and North Eastern part of the country, the Congolese Armed Forces and the Rwanda Defence Force.

We fully support the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all countries in the region and condemn any support to local or foreign armed groups. Ireland has also emphasised the importance of the engagement of national and regional organisations in promoting peace and stability. We welcome the efforts of the East African Community Heads of State Conclave, including the Nairobi peace process, as well as the contribution by Angola and Kenya to advancing a peaceful resolution. Ireland will continue to highlight the importance of the ongoing implementation of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the DRC and the region, and encourage implementation of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region Roadmap. We welcome the renewed calls in the region for a ceasefire, including this month by the leaders of the Southern African Development Community.

Almost 27 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in DRC. There are an estimated 6.9 million people internally displaced, and over a million refugees from the DRC in neighbouring countries. Given the instability in the region, the DRC itself hosts more than half a million refugees.

Ireland is directly providing over €8 million this year in response to the situation in DRC. Over €4.6 million has been allocated to long-term development and chronic humanitarian crisis programmes by Irish NGOs. Five partners (Christian Aid Ireland, Concern Worldwide, Oxfam Ireland, Trócaire and World Vision Ireland) are operating in DRC. In addition, some €3.8 million of Irish funding to UNICEF to address child malnutrition in sub-Saharan Africa is earmarked for DRC.

This year, the EU will provide almost €92 million in humanitarian funding to address the needs of the most vulnerable people in the DRC.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and the wider region remains a matter of deep concern to my EU counterparts and I, particularly in light of the fallout from the military action initiated by Azerbaijan in the region on 19 September. Ireland’s focus remains on ensuring the welfare and protection of any civilians who remain in Nagorno-Karabakh, and of those who have fled to Armenia.

The situation in the region remains high on the EU agenda, and has featured regularly on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council. It was most recently discussed at the November Council earlier this week. Ireland supports EU efforts to facilitate negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan with a view to arriving at a sustainable over-arching peace agreement. It had been hoped that a trilateral meeting would take place in the margins of the European Political Community meeting in Granada. However, unfortunately, President Aliyev opted not to attend the Summit. I hope that negotiations between Prime Minister Pashinyan and President Aliyev facilitated by President Michel will take place as soon as possible.

The situation was also discussed at the October European Council, and the European Union agreed Council Conclusions which underline the EU’s continued support for advancing a sustainable and lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan based on the principles of recognition of sovereignty, the inviolability of borders and territorial integrity. The agreed conclusions also underscored the importance of ensuring the rights and security of the Karabakh Armenians including those who wish to return to their homes.

Ireland has also been engaged at the bilateral level regarding the situation in the region. On 11 August, I had a phone call with Armenian Foreign Minister Mirzoyan and expressed my concern at the alarming reports of the deteriorating humanitarian situation at that time.

The Taoiseach met with Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan at the European Political Community Summit in Grenada on 05 October to discuss the situation. He expressed concern at the plight of Karabakh Armenians, who have felt forced to flee their homeland en masse, and outlined EU and Irish support for those displaced.

Officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs have met with both the Azerbaijani and Armenian Ambassadors to Ireland. They emphasised our concerns regarding the humanitarian impact of these developments and reiterated our support for the resumption of negotiations to resolve all outstanding issues.

Ireland will continue to remain engaged, to encourage efforts towards a sustainable and lasting peace, and to ensure the welfare of Karabakh Armenians displaced by the conflict, and those remaining in Nagorno-Karabkakh.