Georgia crisis set to dominate talks with Russian minister
The fall-out from last month's war in Georgia is set to dominate talks in Dublin today between Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.
Mr Lavrov is on his way to the UN General Assembly summit in New York which will draw 140 world leaders, including Taoiseach Brian Cowen.
Last month Russian troops entered Georgia to push back Georgian forces trying to regain control of Moscow-backed breakaway state, South Ossetia.
"Mr Martin is expected to express his concerns to Mr Lavrov about the humanitarian impact of the conflict in Georgia on ordinary citizens," said the minister's spokesman.
A member of Ireland's Rapid Response Corps was deployed to Georgia to work as a logistics officer with Unicef.
The five-day Russian offensive strained diplomatic relations between Russia and the US to a level not seen since the Cold War era.
As part of a peace plan, EU observers will go to Georgia early next month to monitor a ceasefire as Russian troops withdraw.
Mr Martin was also concerned about the alleged use of cluster munitions during the hostilities as the Irish Government has helped lead efforts to secure an international ban.
The economic relationship between Ireland and Russia will also be discussed at the talks, at Iveagh House.
"Ireland is currently the seventh largest foreign investor in Russia," said Mr Martin's spokesman.
Mr Martin may also use the bilateral meeting to re-issue an invite to prime minister Vladimir Putin to visit Ireland.
Meanwhile, Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas will also be in Dublin today to reciprocate Mr Martin's fact-finding mission to the Mid East in July.
During the talks, the minister is expected to underline Ireland's support for the so-called 'two-state solution' in the region and re-iterate the commitment of Irish Aid to support humanitarian work in the region.
Irish Aid will provide €8.5m in aid to Palestine this year.
"The Irish Government is concerned about the establishment of new settlements, restrictions of movements and other restrictions being placed on the Palestinian people by the Israelis," said Mr Martin's spokesman.
On Wednesday, Mr Martin begins a week-long visit to the US focusing on UN engagements and contacts with the Irish community and the immigration reform lobby.
