Diolch yn fawr, Dirprwy Lywydd, and thank you for bringing forward the debate this afternoon.

We stand with all our international communities who must watch and see their people, and as you say, it's people—family and friends—go through suffering. We show solidarity as individuals, as communities, and as friends with those who still suffer persecution every single day. The Welsh Government condemns persecution and violence in all its forms anywhere in the world, and where discord exists or has existed, the Welsh Government supports efforts to promote reconciliation between people and Governments.

Wales enjoys relations with many nations across the world, many of whom have decided to make Wales their home, and Wales is and will always be a welcoming nation, a place that promotes and celebrates peace. Our history attests to this, as you have reminded us today, from the Welsh League of Nations Union and the remarkable women's peace appeal of the early 1900s, to the Urdd Gobaith Cymru, the creation of Academi Heddwch, right through to the nation of sanctuary we've committed to making Wales today. And as you've said, Llyr, the nation of sanctuary means helping anyone who is dispersed or resettled to Wales to access services and integrate with communities from day 1 of arrival. It is about seeing the person before seeing their immigration status. It is about recognising that individuals come with skills and experiences and not just simply needs to be met. It is about harnessing the opportunities that migration helps to bring to our economy and to our communities, and we are a nation of solidarity, as you say. That was my message this morning at an International Women's Day event, organised by Hwb Cymru Africa, which was describing some of the projects we're supporting in sub-Saharan Africa on gender empowerment.

I am aware that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is deeply complex, and, over the last 30 years, people have continued to suffer due to this conflict, which has been the backdrop to regional relations during this time. Well, as we've said, and, as we know, the UK Government have the lead on foreign affairs—it is reserved—and the UK Government have taken an active role. And I understand that their position towards tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh situation remains unchanged. But the UK Government, alongside much of the international community, has been clear that the current closure of the Lachin corridor, which is a lifeline into Nagorno-Karabakh, is wholly unacceptable, and they've repeatedly called for the opening of the corridor. 

Last week, on 2 March, the head of the UK delegation to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe stated that the UK Government remains deeply concerned by the continued disruption to the Lachin corridor, and urged immediate action to be taken to restore the flow of goods and people. The corridor has been discussed at the United Nations Security Council, and the fact that this has now been taken to the International Court of Justice, and a judgment passed, reinforces the need for urgent action to be taken. 

Now, my understanding is that the UK Government continues to support international efforts, including those led by the EU and the OSCE, and continues to call upon both Armenian and Azerbaijan Governments to work together to address their concerns, and to fulfil the commitments that both sides have made. And, throughout February, UK Ministers met representatives of Azerbaijan and Armenia to discuss progress on peace discussions, and this included travelling out to Baku. 

And, thank you for raising the importance of humanitarian aid after the violence in 2020. The UK was the first nation to provide humanitarian assistance in the form of £1 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross, and now, through the Start Fund, it has allocated £350,000 to support those affected by the closure of the corridor. The UK has committed to continuing to monitor the situation through their extensive engagements with humanitarian actors, to keep under review the need for future and further humanitarian assistance should the situation continue to deteriorate. And the reports that war crimes have been committed are deeply disturbing, and I know that many are worried about the risk of genocide in the region. 

As far as the Genocide Convention is concerned, and where there is evidence that thresholds have been met, the UK Government must ensure that appropriate action is taken, and where the UK Government has concerns over the conduct of troops, these matters will be directly raised with the appropriate Government.

Sadly, Dirprwy Lywydd, we are seeing conflicts in too many areas across the world. Much of it is caused by hatred, racism, lack of education, and unwillingness to sit down and listen and work with people. Wales has always been and remains a nation proud to open its doors, especially to those fleeing violence and hatred, and we're proud of the values of equality, co-operation and solidarity that are the hallmark of the Wales we live in today. But this must be a reality for people, and we must listen to the concerns that you've raised today on these matters.