DCU Politics Society’s second annual ambassador panel took place on Tuesday, the 27th of January, with a strong turnout to discuss the future of NATO amid a tumultuous political climate.
The panel consisted of H.E. Céline Place (Ambassador of France), H.E Pavel Vošalík (Ambassador of the Czech Republic) and H.E. Esra Cankorur (Ambassador of Turkiye).
NATO
NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) was founded in 1949 in the wake of World War Two, as an international military alliance that now comprises 32 countries. Ireland, however, is not one of these countries, which has been a point of contention in recent years due to rising tensions across the world.
Ireland has a long cultural history of neutrality in conflicts, a policy that has enabled extensive peacekeeping missions worldwide. The policy remains popular domestically. However, Ireland is under international pressure to yield this policy of neutrality in the face of a fraught time for politics and for NATO itself.
The event got off to a fraught start of its own, with a protester interrupting the French ambassador’s first remarks to raise the flag of French territory, New Caledonia, before being escorted out.
Challenges Ahead
Protestors aside, the event ran very smoothly. The visiting ambassadors discussed the challenges facing NATO today. There was a strong focus on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as on what H.E. Celine Place described as “360 degrees” of security concerns arising from contemporary issues such as cyber threats.
And, of course, Trump. The US President’s most recent escapade involved him declaring the United States’ intent to buy Greenland (yes, the country – bringing with it obvious concerns about how to defend against this). Greenland is a part of the Kingdom of Denmark, a founding member of NATO. H.E Pavel Vošalík described Trump’s plan bluntly as a “crazy idea” that calls for more open discussions about security in Europe. H.E. Place mentioned that France has advocated for Europe to be able to stand alone on security, without relying on the US.
H.E.Vošalík also drove home his opinion that Ireland needs to be open to playing a role in European security despite its neutral stance, even if that does not include NATO membership. The ambassador also spoke about how security should be a priority of Ireland’s upcoming EU Council Presidency, due to begin on July 1st 2026.
H.E. Esra Cankorur continued this concern for security, saying simply that “no ally should be left alone”, and that it was essential to maintain the alliance’s “centre of gravity”. The ambassador expressed the view that any attempt to separate from NATO in order to have a different form of European defence would be a strategic error, as the alliance already exists.
Finally: Opinions on Ireland?
Polsoc Chair and event moderator Ben Watson ended things on a less serious note, asking the guests what they enjoyed most about their time working in Ireland. Across the board, there was an emphasis on the importance of sharing views, and speaking to young Irish people about the countries they represent. H.E. Vosolik was also keen to express his hope that Ireland’s upcoming soccer match against the Czech Republic will bring the countries closer (and that the Czechs will win)!
