Matt Carthy
Question:148. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has considered opening an Irish embassy in Armenia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16737/24]
View answerTuesday, 16 April 2024
Questions (148)
Written answers
Ireland and Armenia have enjoyed positive diplomatic relations since 28 June 1996. The Embassy of Ireland in Bulgaria is accredited to Armenia on a non-resident basis. The Embassy of Armenia to the UK and Ireland is accredited to Ireland on a non-resident basis, and Ambassador Varuzhan Nersesyan presented his credentials to President Michael D. Higgins in July 2022. Ambassador Nersesyan most recently visited Dublin on 10 April when he met with officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs in addition to meeting with parliamentary members.
On 5 March, the Government announced five new overseas missions would be opened under the Global Ireland programme, further strengthening Ireland’s global presence and influence. The new Embassies will be located in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Moldova, and the new Consulates General will be opened in Málaga and Melbourne. To date, under the Global Ireland Strategy, 19 new Missions have opened, while additional Missions in Islamabad, Milan and Munich are scheduled to open this year.
While noting increasing bilateral ties between Armenia and the EU, there are no current plans to open a resident Embassy of Ireland in Yerevan. Any decision on the opening of a new embassy is considered with reference to Ireland’s national, political and economic priorities. Against these and other factors, the Government keeps the matter of opening further cases under active review.