International Relations

Ireland’s foreign policy is based on our values and interests. Ireland is a liberal democracy, with a small and exceptionally open free-market economy. We enjoy particularly close ties with our European neighbours, in particular our partners in the European Union. But our history and economic development have also led to strong links with the United States, and there are important human and cultural ties with Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Ireland has a sense of affinity with the developing world, notably Africa. Our economic relations with other parts of the world, in particular Asia, are also developing rapidly.

Central to Ireland’s foreign policy are our membership since 1955 of the United Nations and our membership since 1973 of the European Union.  Ireland is committed to the maintenance of international peace and security under the UN Charter, and to respect for international law.   We recognise the essential interconnections between security, development, and human rights, as acknowledged in the 2005 World Summit outcome document.  Ireland is particularly active in the promotion of disarmament and the protection of human rights.

Within the EU we work closely with our partners in the development and implementation of the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, which is the primary day-to-day focus of the Department’s Political Division. The Common Foreign and Security Policy aims at increased political cooperation between EU member states:

• to safeguard the common values, fundamental interests, independence and integrity of the Union in conformity with the principle of the United Nations Charter;
• to strengthen the security of the Union in all ways;
• to preserve peace and strengthen international security, in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter, as well as the principle of the Helsinki Final Act and the objectives of the Paris Charter , including those on external borders;
• to promote international co-operation;
• to develop and consolidate democracy and the rule of law, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Our strong commitment to effective multilateralism is also demonstrated by our active participation in other international organisations, including the World Trade Organisation, the Council of Europe and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

Ireland maintains a policy of military neutrality and is not a member of any military alliance.  However, for fifty years it has been an active contributor to UN and UN-mandated peace-keeping operations and is playing an active part in the development of European Security and Defence Policy.