Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2024
147. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his Department’s strategy for the Caucasus region; the permanent missions through which Ireland engages with the region; his recent diplomatic engagements regarding the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16736/24]
View answerIreland has diplomatic relations with Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, and continues to engage with the region guided by the Department of Foreign Affairs Statement of Strategy 2023 - 2025.
Ireland and Armenia have had diplomatic relations since 1996, and Ireland is accredited to Armenia on a non-resident basis through the Embassy of Ireland in Sofia, Bulgaria. Armenia is accredited to Ireland on a non-resident basis through the Embassy of Armenia to the UK and Ireland in London. Varuzhan Nersesyan was appointed Ambassador to the UK and Ireland in July 2021.
My European colleagues and I had an informal exchange with the Armenian Foreign Minister, Ararat Mirzoyan at the Foreign Affairs Council on 11 December. This was a timely opportunity to receive an update on the prospects for an overarching peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, on EU-Armenia relations, and on the situation of the over 100,000 Karabakh Armenians now residing in Armenia.
In terms of bilateral contacts, I discussed the situation in the region and the welfare of civilians 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.
Ireland continues to work with Armenia to deepen our bilateral relationship. Officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs met with the Armenian Ambassador to the UK and Ireland, His Excellency Varuzhan Nerseyan, during his visit to Dublin on 10 April. They discussed the situation in the South Caucasus region, and how to strengthen both EU – Armenia and bilateral ties between our two countries. My officials continue to engage with Armenia on these issues.
Ireland and Azerbaijan have had diplomatic relations since 1996. The Irish Embassy in Ankara, Türkiye, is accredited to Azerbaijan on a non-resident basis. The Embassy of Azerbaijan in London is accredited to Ireland and Ambassador H.E. Mr Elin Suleymano presented credentials in late 2022.
My officials in Dublin continue to engage with their Azerbaijani counterparts on the situation in the region, and on issues of bilateral importance. Officials met with a representative from the Embassy of Azerbaijan to the UK and Ireland during his visit to Dublin on 20 March, and discussed the prospects for peace in the region, and issues of bilateral importance including Azerbaijan’s priorities for the upcoming COP29 climate change conference, which will be held in Baku. Ireland will continue to engage with Azerbaijan in the run up to this important conference.
The Embassy of Ireland in Ankara also holds regular meetings with their counterparts in Baku, and Azerbaijani diplomats in Ankara.
Diplomatic relations with Georgia were established on 12 September 1996. The Irish Embassy to Bulgaria in Sofia is accredited to Georgia on a non-resident basis. Georgia is represented in Ireland through their resident Embassy in Dublin since 2011.
I have regularly engaged with the Georgian Government, including during the visit of Georgian Foreign Minister, H.E. Ilia Darchiashvili on 13-15 September 2023. During his visit, we signed a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding to enhance bilateral cooperation and hold regular political consultations between our two countries. Foreign Minister Darchiashvili also had meetings with the Minister of State for European Affairs, Minister of State for International Development and the Diaspora, as well as with parliamentarians. The focus of the visit was on Georgia’s EU membership aspirations and opportunities to further develop bilateral relations.
On 7 March 2024, the Department of Justice announced a waiver of visa requirements for holders of Georgian diplomatic passports and for holders of service passports who are accompanying a Minister on an official visit. We hope that this move will help to facilitate more regular bilateral contacts.
Ireland’s Embassy in Sofia also plays a key role in Ireland’s engagement with Georgia and the Ambassador regularly meets with her counterparts.
Ireland also continues to engage on the region through European Union mechanisms, including the Eastern Partnership framework, which brings together the EU and its Member States, and the Governments of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine, and Moldova. The most recent Ministerial meeting of the Eastern Partnership took place in December 2023 and was a fruitful discussion. Ireland also engages through the European Union’s Working Groups, and Ireland’s Ambassador to the European Union’s Political and Security Committee participated in a joint visit to Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia on 9 – 12 April 2024 together with her EU counterparts.
