Ireland's Foreign Relations in 2012

Abstract

This article examines aspects of Ireland's foreign relations in 2012. It considers the fallout from the decision to close the embassy to the Holy See before discussing the vicissitudes of the government's overseas aid programme. It proceeds to survey the high-level meetings that took place last year between representatives of the Irish and Chinese governments, highlighting the difficulty in striking a balance between economic interests and human-rights concerns. The paper outlines Ireland's place in the continuing US-led 'war on terrorism' and the significance of Ireland's election to the United Nations Human Rights Council. There are foci on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and developments in Ireland's relationship with Latin America. The article also sheds light on significant political events and processes in Northern Ireland and developments in Anglo-Irish relations generally during 2012. The article concludes with a comprehensive overview of Ireland's year-long chairmanship for the first time of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).