Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2023
21. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update in relation to the ongoing situation in Artsakh, Nagorno-Karabak; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39783/23]
View answerIreland, along with our EU partners, remains greatly concerned for the welfare of all civilians in Nagorno-Karabakh in light of worrying reports that the humanitarian situation is deteriorating further.
The politicisation of humanitarian access is never acceptable, and I am deeply concerned that the activities of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in the region continue to be obstructed. I reaffirm our full support for the ICRC’s work and underline the EU’s calls for their vital work to be facilitated by all parties.
As I reiterated during my conversation on 11 August with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan, the EU remains committed to facilitating a sustainable resolution of the issue. Ireland fully supports the ongoing mediation efforts of President of the European Council, Charles Michel, between the two leaders. President Michel continues to engage with both parties with the overarching aim of de-escalating tensions and on a solution for unblocking humanitarian access. The Offices of President Michel and of the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia, Toivo Klaar, also engage daily with the authorities in Yerevan and Baku, as well as with representatives of the Karabakh Armenian community in this regard.
My EU counterparts and I discussed the situation at the most recent meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council on 18 September and 31 August, and the EU also delivered a statement expressing deep concern at the situation at the UN Security Council on 16 August 2023. I took note of the humanitarian delivery via the Aghdam-Askeran route on 12 September. However, as expressed by President Michel's Spokesperson on 12 September, this development cannot be viewed as an alternative to the reopening of the Lachin corridor without delay, in line with the Order of the International Court of Justice of 22 February 2023, reaffirmed on 6 July 2023. Guaranteed and uninterrupted humanitarian access to Nagorno-Karabakh must be ensured.
Ireland maintains our full support for the EU’s efforts to facilitate a negotiated, comprehensive and sustainable settlement of the conflict, including on the rights and security of Karabakh Armenians.
