Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 March 2021
123. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the EU, UN and the international community in general can assist with a view to bringing about peace in the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12466/21]
View answerIreland and the EU are monitoring developments in the region closely. The cessation of hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan remains intact under the November 2020 agreement. This is welcome, but important issues have yet to be addressed, including the full exchange of Prisoners of War, the removal from the region of foreign fighters, and the issue of the final status of Nagorno-Karabakh. Work to restore economic and transport ties in the region is ongoing and will be an important part of any foundation for regional peace.
Access to the region remains a challenge for the international community. In December, the UN Secretary General stated that the UN is prepared to provide humanitarian assistance and we reiterate our call for all sides to allow access to UN bodies. The EU increased its contribution to humanitarian aid for the region in February by an additional €3 million, bringing the total contribution since the conflict began to €6.9 million. Ireland remains a strong supporter and contributor of funding to the International Committee of the Red Cross, which remains the major international humanitarian organisation present throughout the region.
Ireland continues to support renewed efforts towards a negotiated, comprehensive and sustainable settlement of the conflict, particularly on the long-term status of Nagorno-Karabakh. We believe the OSCE Minsk Group is the appropriate format through which to achieve this objective. The EU stands ready to contribute to the intensification of negotiations in this format. The EU, OSCE and the Council of Europe can also play important roles in post-conflict reconstruction and reconciliation efforts through confidence building measures.
