Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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109. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh - Artsakh region of Azerbaijan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19923/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan remain an issue of concern for Ireland and the European Union. Ireland joined EU leaders in condemning Azerbaijan’s military escalation in September 2023 and calling for a return to dialogue. The military operation resulted in the mass exodus to Armenia of over 100,000 people – almost the entire ethnic Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh. In response to the humanitarian crisis, the European Commission announced €12.15 million in humanitarian aid to support those affected by the conflict, along with €15 million in budgetary support and a package of wide-ranging assistance measures. Ireland also provided humanitarian support via its core funding for the UNHCR and ICRC, organisations that played a vital role in helping those displaced by the conflict. We also provided aid for Start Fund and People in Need, NGOs that were on the ground assisting vulnerable people.

We support Karabakh Armenians’ right to return to their homes. My officials continue to raise this during our bilateral contacts as well as multilaterally.

I discussed the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and the welfare of the local population in my call with Foreign Minister Mirzoyan on 11 August 2023. The Taoiseach subsequently met with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in October in the margins of the European Political Community Summit in Granada and emphasised Ireland’s concern for the welfare of those displaced by the conflict, and our support for a lasting peace in the region.

The European Union regularly discusses the situation in the region, and how the EU can play a role in facilitating peace, most recently during the Foreign Affairs Council meetings in January and March 2024. Ireland also continues to engage on this issue at the United Nations, the Council of Europe, and the OSCE.

Territorial disputes should be resolved through dialogue, and not use of force. President of the European Council Charles Michel has been involved in efforts to mediate between the two sides, and hosted the sixth round of in-person trilateral negotiations at leaders’ level on 15 July 2023. Ireland supports the EU’s commitment to normalising relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

I also welcomed the meeting of Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Aliyev during the Munich Security Conference in February, and the subsequent meeting of Foreign Ministers in Berlin. We encourage all efforts that bring the sides together for dialogue. As underscored in the European Council conclusions of October, any peace agreement should be based on the principles of recognition of sovereignty, the inviolability of borders and territorial integrity.

Ireland supported the decision to deploy a civilian EU monitoring mission to the border region in February 2023. Following the military escalation in September 2023, the Foreign Affairs Council in November agreed to increase the size of the EU Mission in Armenia from 138 to 209 staff. Two Irish Deployees joined the Mission in October 2023.

I welcome the announcement that Armenia and Azerbaijan reached a preliminary agreement on the delimitation of four border sections between the two countries, following the 8th border commission meeting which took place on 19 April 2024. Ireland will continue to support efforts to arrive at a negotiated, comprehensive and sustainable settlement of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan to the benefit of all people in the region.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of reports regarding the incident in question.

The incident described took place in the context of a protest within Berlin’s government district. I understand that the rules surrounding this protest related to all languages other than English and German, and not to Irish in particular. There are domestic German administrative and legal avenues open to the group to raise this matter with the relevant authorities and the group may wish to consider this.

The Embassy has strong and regular outreach to the Irish community in Germany. I was pleased to meet with members of the community, including those that speak and promote the learning of the Irish language, during some of my recent visits to Germany.

Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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111. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline the engagement his Department has had with the German Government regarding the suppression of the use of the Irish language at public events in Germany; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20048/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of reports regarding the incident in question.

The incident described took place in the context of a protest within Berlin’s government district. I understand that the rules surrounding this protest related to all languages other than English and German, and not to Irish in particular. There are domestic German administrative and legal avenues open to the group to raise this matter with the relevant authorities and the group may wish to consider this.

The Embassy has strong and regular outreach to the Irish community in Germany. I was pleased to meet with members of the community, including those that speak and promote the learning of the Irish language, during some of my recent visits to Germany.