2007 Press Releases
Ireland and Iceland: Small State Connections
21.11.2007
Dr Andrew Cottey of UCC's Department of Government has recently been renewing some quite ancient ties between Ireland and another small state located on Europe's western periphery - Iceland.
21.11.2007
Dr Andrew Cottey of UCC's Department of Government has recently been renewing some quite ancient ties between Ireland and another small state located on Europe's western periphery - Iceland.
Andrew visited the University of Iceland, based in the island's capital Reykjavik, for meetings with its Department of Political Science. He lectured to masters degree students on the role of European security institutions such as the EU and NATO. Andrew also gave a public lecture titled "NATO in Afghanistan: Heading for Defeat?" - unlike Ireland, and despite having no armed forces, Iceland is a member of NATO.
Irish monk, Saint Brendan is believed to have been the first human to have visited Iceland in the sixth century. UCC's Department of Government is hoping to renew connections between Ireland and Iceland via an EU funded Small States Summer School which the University of Iceland hosts. The Summer School provides an opportunity for students from participating universities to examine the challenges faced by small states in international politics as well as exploring Iceland's unique landscape and natural heritage. Andrew Cottey says, "like Ireland, Iceland is a country that faces the sometimes difficult challenge of balancing the European and American dimensions of its foreign policies."
568MMcS
Irish monk, Saint Brendan is believed to have been the first human to have visited Iceland in the sixth century. UCC's Department of Government is hoping to renew connections between Ireland and Iceland via an EU funded Small States Summer School which the University of Iceland hosts. The Summer School provides an opportunity for students from participating universities to examine the challenges faced by small states in international politics as well as exploring Iceland's unique landscape and natural heritage. Andrew Cottey says, "like Ireland, Iceland is a country that faces the sometimes difficult challenge of balancing the European and American dimensions of its foreign policies."
568MMcS