John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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126. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide details of the Government’s response to the newly announced EU civilian mission to Armenia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4409/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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At the 23 January meeting of EU Foreign Ministers, I supported a Council Decision establishing a civilian Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) mission in Armenia, which will have an initial duration of two years. Its objective will be to contribute to decreasing the number of incidents in conflict-affected and border areas in Armenia, to reduce the level of risk for the population living in such areas, and to contribute to the normalisation of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

I welcomed the establishment of the Mission, which sends an important signal of support for the stability and security of the South Caucasus region.  We hope that the mission will succeed in contributing to human security and confidence-building between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

During our tenure on the UN Security Council, which ended in December, Ireland repeatedly spoke in favour of a peaceful resolution to the disputes between Armenia and Azerbaijan, called for the immediate cessation of hostilities, and the implementation of a ceasefire. Armed confrontation will not provide any lasting resolution. Ireland supports a negotiated, comprehensive and sustainable settlement of the conflict, including on the long-term status of Nagorno-Karabakh, and supports increased EU engagement in the South Caucasus.