Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 14 May 1997

Vol. 479 No. 3

Written Answers. - Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict.

Austin Deasy

Question:

50 Mr. Deasy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's position regarding the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh and the steps, if any, he intends to take in order that a political settlement of the conflict is reached. [12997/97]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

This week marks the third anniversary of the ceasefire in the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, an ethnically Armenian enclave in Azerbaijan. Ireland, with its partners in the European Union, is concerned to see that the ceasefire is developed into a comprehensive, peaceful and lasting settlement.

The OSCE Budapest Summit in December 1994 established the OSCE Minsk Conference on Nagorno-Karabakh. Since then the Minsk Group has been the principal vehicle for international efforts to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. Despite intensive efforts by the Minsk Group and others it was not possible for consensus to be reached at the OSCE Lisbon Summit last December on the principles for a possible solution to Nagorno-Karabakh.

Following the failure to reach agreement, Ireland joined the majority of OSCE members at the Lisbon Summit in declaring, on behalf of the European Union, its full support for the principles for a settlement which had been proposed by the OSCE chairman in office and the co-chairmen of the Minsk Conference. These principles are territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia and the Azerbaijan Republic; legal status of Nagorno-Karabakh defined in an agreement based on self-determination which confers on Nagorno-Karabakh the highest degree of self-rule within Azerbaijan; guaranteed security for Nagorno-Karabakh and its whole population, including mutual obligations to ensure compliance by all the parties with the provisions of the settlement.

In February this year, Russia, the United States and France were appointed as co-chairmen of the Minsk Group. In April last, the group met with the parties in Moscow. Although little progress was reported on the main issues discussed — the Lachin Corridor to Armenia, and the Azeri enclave of Shusha — progress was made on the issue of prisoner release.

The Minsk Group is currently working to encourage regular direct contact between the parties.Ad hoc meetings of the parties in the margins of international conferences and telephone contacts between the two Presidents have been helpful in the past in resolving specific problems such as the recent incidents of ceasefire violations. The group hopes to build on these precedents.

Ireland and our EU partners have expressed full confidence in the three co-chairmen of the Minsk Group and the efforts being made by the group to achieve a lasting political settlement to the conflict, based on the principles enunciated at the Lisbon Summit, and including the right of return of refugees and displaced persons.