Global Europe

Halfway to 2030 – Getting back on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals

This blog reflects on reaching the midway point in implementing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and looks to the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HPLF).

Reframing the Debate: Migration as an Essential Element of EU Foreign Policy

The A-Z of the NZIA

This Global Europe policy brief analyses the European Commission’s proposed industrial policy, published in March 2023, from the perspectives of business, big and small, as well as of workers. The policy will play an important role in keeping Europe globally competitive and is set to remain high on the EU policymaking agenda for some time to come.

The EU Pact on Migration and Asylum: State of Play as of June 2023

FAQs on the European Hydrogen Bank

Can the Leopard Change Its Spots? Competitiveness, Industrial Policy, and State Aid in the European Single Market

Against the backdrop of a changing global trade environment, this paper analyses the European Commission’s newly proposed regulatory framework oriented toward successfully realising the double digital and green transitions, the long-term competitiveness of the EU Single Market, and open strategic autonomy.

The Future of Industrial Policy and the European Single Market

The debate about industrial policy has risen to the top of the agenda in the EU and globally since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which compounded the supply-chain shocks caused by COVID-19 and further exacerbated the increasingly tense atmosphere in global relations and trade. 

The Red Queen Dilemma and the Single Market

Seeking Symbiosis - Does the new Common Agricultural Policy resonate with the ambitions of the European Green Deal?

The Potential Implications of a Proposed European Political Community (EPC)

On Thursday this week, EU heads of state and government will meet informally with their non-EU counterparts in Prague to discuss a new idea for a “European political community” (EPC).

Valency and the V4: The Changing Political Dynamics of the Visegrád Four Group

This publication by outlines the origins, objectives, and future of the Visegrád Four (V4) group, an intra-EU alliance of Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.

Advancement or Impediment? AI and the Rule of Law

Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology increasingly permeates our daily lives and has the potential to both generate considerable economic benefits and to profoundly impact the rule of law.

Aux Urnes Citoyens: Looking Ahead to the 2022 French Legislative Elections

This publication examines the impacts of the April 2022 French presidential elections and sets the stage for the forthcoming June 2022 legislative elections by exploring the potential implications of the results for France, Ireland, and the European Union.

Strategic Autonomy and the European Single Market

Guarding the Guardians: Rule of Law & the Media

Against a backdrop of a deterioration in media freedom in several European Union Member States, this Explainer outlines the legislative and policy proposals emerging at EU level, which aim to protect media freedom and to ensure the safety of journalists.

Ireland at the Helm: Assessing Ireland’s Presidency of the UN Security Council

“During the month of September, Ireland facilitated the adoption of five Security Council resolutions in its capacity as President. The majority of these extended the mandates of UN Missions around the world while a thematic resolution on Peacekeeping Transitions marked a major achievement of Ireland’s Presidency.”

Building Consensus in Times of Crisis: Ireland’s Presidency of the UN Security Council

Factsheet on the EU’s New Pact on Migration and Asylum

This factsheet details the contents, form and legislative status of the nine main legislative proposals in the EU’s New Pact on Migration and Asylum.

Leaning In? Opportunities for Ireland in the New Pact on Migration and Asylum Policy

Profound divisions within the EU on migration management and asylum policy have strained relations between countries and raised questions about solidarity and responsibility.

Grand Redesigns: Explainer on the EU’s New Pact on Migration and Asylum

This explainer provides an overview of the EU’s New Pact on Migration and Asylum in terms of the EU’s relations with third countries.

The Iran Nuclear Deal: Explained

This explainer provides an overview of the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) and summarises the key developments which have occurred since it was agreed in 2015.

International Public Health Diplomacy

In this reflective piece, Mary Whelan, former Irish Permanent Representative to the World Health Organisation (WHO), outlines the negotiations which led to the current International Health Regulations (IHR) in 2005, Ireland’s role in global public health diplomacy and the future challenges facing global public health.

Public Health Diplomacy: A Legal Perspective

In this publication David Byrne SC, former Attorney General and European Commissioner, explores the evolution of the legal foundations for health policy at the national and European level, the concept of health diplomacy and what it may mean in a post COVID-19 future.

Global Public Health Diplomacy: An Opportunity for Ireland?

Climate and Security at the UN Security Council

This explainer seeks to outline some of the most serious implications of climate change for security as well as examining the unique role that Ireland can play on climate and security during its two-year membership of the UNSC.

Strategic Autonomy: A Spectrum of Choices for the EU and Ireland

This analytical briefing explores the spectrum of strategic autonomy policy options available to the EU in an increasingly multipolar world, where Member States stand on the issues, and the possible implications for a small open liberal economy like Ireland.

Explainer: Ireland’s Membership of the UNSC.

This explainer aims to introduce Ireland’s membership of the UN Security Council by examining some of its key features and functions, as well as by assessing what Ireland can hope to achieve during its two-year term.

Attitudes Towards LGBTIQ Rights in The EU

This explainer aims to provide a broad overview of the attitudes towards LGBTIQ rights across the EU.

Protecting LGBTIQ Rights in Europe and the World

This paper assesses the key legal frameworks which extend LGBTIQ specific protections. First, by looking at the key European frameworks, i.e., the European Union and the Council of Europe. Second, by looking at the key international frameworks, i.e., the United Nations human rights system and the Yogyakarta Principles.

EU Rule of Law Policy Brief

This policy brief details the background of the ongoing rule of law debate in the European Union and why it matters for the Union.

Finland’s Priorities and Challenges as We Look Beyond the 2024 European Parliament Elections

EU Enlargement and the Western Balkans – A Croatian Perspective

Sailing on the High Seas: Reforming and Enlarging the EU for the 21st Century

The speakers discuss the recently published Report of the Franco-German Working Group on EU Institutional Reform.

EU Trade – Challenges and Opportunities in a Rapidly Changing Environment

Getting Ready For Enlargement: The EU’s Homework

Keynote Address on the Future of Europe by Tiago Antunes, Secretary of State for European Affairs of Portugal

EU Enlargement And Reform: Why It Matters And How It Can Be Done — A German Perspective

Future-Proofing Europe: The Challenges and Opportunities Presented by Enlargement of the European Union

A keynote address by Peter Burke TD, Minister of State with responsibility for European Affairs and Defence.

European Commission Report on Enlargement: Challenges and Opportunities Ahead

Keynote address by Lawrence Meredith, Director of Neighbourhood East and Institution Building in DG NEAR in the European Commission.

Enlargement and the Future of the EU

Jessika Roswall will provide a Swedish Government view on EU enlargement and reform.

Ensuring Accountability and Justice for International crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine

This event will reflect on the legal options and challenges for justice and accountability mechanisms in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine, including the prospects for the establishment of a special international tribunal.

Migration and Asylum in the EU

In her address to the IIEA as part of the Global Europe project, supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson discusses the latest developments to the EU’s migration and asylum policies.

Reviving Our Commitments to Human Rights

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, discusses the need to rejuvenate a worldwide consensus on human rights, 75 years on from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Advancing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda

In her address to the IIEA Major General Maureen O'Brien, discusses how to advance the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, both on the ground and in international policy.

Current threats to the future of Belarus and Europe - A keynote address by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya

In her address to the IIEA, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Leader of the Belarusian Democratic Movement, will discuss the current threats to the future of Belarus and Europe.

A View from the Swedish Presidency

In his address to the IIEA, which is part of the Global Europe project, supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Mr Christian Danielsson, Swedish State Secretary for EU Affairs will discuss the Swedish presidency of the Council of the European Union, their experience to date and current issues from competitiveness to migration.

Ireland and the UN: reflecting on Ireland’s term as an elected member of the UN Security Council

In this Global Europe webinar, Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, reflects on Ireland’s longstanding support for multilateralism, developed over 100 years of independence. In particular, he reflects on Ireland’s tenure as an elected member of the UN Security Council, from January 2021 to December 2022. He outlines Ireland’s achievements, discusses the main challenges faced and assesses the overall contribution that Ireland has made to the work of the Security Council.

Freedom of Expression and Armed Conflict

In this Global Europe webinar, Irene Khan, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, will examine the challenges that journalists and human rights defenders are facing during armed conflict.

The Council of Europe at a Crossroads

This panel discussion will reflect on Ireland’s six-month Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, which ends on 7 November 2022.

Europe’s Place in the World

A webinar address by EEAS Secretary General, Stefano Sannino, on Europe’s place in the world.

Europe in Changing Times

Address to the IIEA by Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President for a Europe Fit for the Digital Age and Commissioner for Competition entitled Europe in changing times.

Council of Europe Development Bank: Supporting Social Cohesion During Extraordinary Times

In his address to the IIEA, Carlo Monticelli reflects on the role of the Council of Europe Development Bank in supporting social cohesion in extraordinary times.

Reaffirming “the Conscience of Europe”

A webinar address with Marija Pejčinović Burić, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, and Simon Coveney TD, in his capacity as incoming Chair of the Committee of Ministers.

Afghanistan at a crossroads

In her address to the IIEA, Deputy SRSG for Afghanistan, Mette Knudsen, discusses the current political situation in Afghanistan and efforts of the United Nations to support the people of Afghanistan.

Annual State of the Union Address to the IIEA

Minister Coveney will deliver the annual ‘State of the Union’ address at the IIEA.

Safeguarding Media Pluralism and Upholding EU Values

Vice President of the European Commission for Values and Transparency, Věra Jourová, discusses the necessity of safeguarding media freedom and pluralism in order to ensure that EU values are upheld.

Illiberal Democracy and Academic Freedom in Eastern Europe

Professor Michael Ignatieff will explore the reasons why illiberal democracy is in the ascendant in Eastern Europe and why are universities among the targets of these illiberal regimes.

Defending the Rule of Law in the EU

Former Chief Justice of Ireland, Mr Justice Frank Clarke, will deliver an online address on the state of play regarding the Rule of Law in the European Union.

Reflections on Estonia’s Presidency of the UN Security Council

Making the Conference on the Future of Europe Work

Secretary of State for European Affairs of Portugal, Ana Paula Zacarias, will deliver an online address on the Conference on the Future of Europe and how it can best achieve its stated goals.

WEBINAR: EU Trade Policy in a Post-COVID World

A webinar address on the EU’s trade policy and strategic ambitions in a post-COVID world with Valdis Dombrovskis, European Commission Executive Vice-President and Commissioner for Trade.

WEBINAR: Forging a Comprehensive EU Approach to Migration

In his address to the IIEA, Vice-President Schinas will consider the significance of the extensive review of migration policy embodied in the New Pact on Migration and Asylum.

WEBINAR: Rule of Law in the EU

Minister Varga and Minister Byrne will discuss the rule of law in the European Union, and the challenges facing it.

WEBINAR: Ireland’s priorities for the UN Security Council in 2021-2022

Towards LGBTIQ Equality in the EU: A Legal and Policy Perspective

Multilateral Cooperation on Disarmament: Prospects and milestones in the COVID era

Europe’s role in the world and the future of multilateralism

In this inaugural event of the IIEA’s new Global Europe project, supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Federica Mogherini addresses Europe’s global role and the future of the multilateral system. She argues that the COVID-19 crisis is a critical juncture for the multilateral system and that redefining Europe’s role on the international stage will be crucial for Europe to emerge stronger in a post-pandemic world.

Crunch Time for Enlargement

Politics of Migration in the EU

Ireland and the UN Human Rights Council – Past, Present and Future

Passing on the Baton – Malta, a New Voice for Small Island States on the UNSC

Transitions – Ireland at the UN

The Rome Statute and the International Criminal Court Factsheet

The Rome Statute and Hunger as a Weapon of War -  The Journey Towards Ending Impunity for Starvation Tactics

Value and Values – EU and Rule of Law

A New Silk Road or a Long and Winding Road to Strategic Autonomy? The EU’s Global Gateway Programme

Called to Account? The Permanent Five and the Veto

CBAM: An EU Foreign Climate Policy

Stasis in Myanmar: Avoiding a Regional Crisis

The Chips are Down:  Strategic Autonomy, Semiconductors and Ireland

Striking a Balance between Independence and Interference: Judicial Independence and the Rule of Law in the EU

The JCPOA Stalemate: The Future of the Iran Nuclear Deal

Conference on the Future of Europe

EU Review - This Week

Ireland and the UNSC - This Week

The Israeli - Palestinian Conflict: Ireland and the UN Security Council

Trading Up? The EU’s Trade Policy Review

Forging a Path to Peace in Tigray: Ireland and the UN Security Council

Media Freedom in the EU – A Pillar of Rule of Law in Peril?

Can the Syrian Constitutional Committee Achieve Peace in Syria?

Towards a Union of Equality: Evaluating the LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025