The Security and Defence of Small European States

Ireland has a unique global brand as a smaller, even-handed state with balanced foreign policy approaches, strong moral and soft power. It is imperative that our approaches to national security support Irish interests and values.

Small states can achieve big things if they think big, especially in defence.

Whatever size a state may be, these new defence initiatives presume that success can only be achieved if governments pool more of their sovereignty together.

European security and defence has gained increased momentum over the past two years. But has anything, in political and capability terms, really changed?

Finland is no doubt seen as a net contributor to security in Europe, and certainly wants to be seen as such. It takes care of its own defence, and thereby contributes to overall security.

Is it really useful to think about “small states” when discussing European defence and security?

The tremendous changes in the European security landscape in the early 1990s led to fundamental changes in Swedish security policy, both in stated doctrine and in practice.