Ireland is now holding a four-day public debate on NATO membership. Now that neutral Finland has joined and Sweden is expected to follow shortly, the Irish are also considering joining. Yet Europe correspondent Stefan de Vries thinks it will be just a debate: “Neutrality is almost a religion for the Irish.”
According to De Vries, the fact that the conversation doesn’t go beyond a debate has a lot to do with Irish history. The country gained its independence from the British only in 1922. In response to British rule, neutrality became a fundamental principle in the country. The Irish were therefore also neutral in World War II and the Cold War.”
Changing security situation
Due to the changing security situation around the world, the Irish have still started a debate. Some wonder if, after all, it might not be better to join international alliances. “But a country will never even think of invading Ireland,” says De Vries. “Then you immediately have the British and Americans breathing down your neck.”
“In any case, NATO doesn’t gain much from it.”
The Irish government is also not a big supporter of NATO membership. «The president is above all afraid that his country will be involved in any kind of bloody conflict – explains De Vries – he has no desire for this. He admits that the need for security is changing.’
Political position
If Ireland were to decide to join NATO anyway, then according to De Vries it would be more of a political position than a practical choice. Other countries are just watching. They see it more as an internal debate, in any case NATO doesn’t gain much from it”.
Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
