Nicholas Rees

United Nations peacekeeping in the post-Cold War era

1. Introduction 2. Peacekeeping in the Cold War / Post-Cold War 3. ONUC and the Congo, 1960-1964 4. UNFICYP and Cyprus, 1964- 5. UNOSOM and Somalia, 1992-1995 6. UNAVEM and Angola, 1988-1997 7. UN Peacekeeping: Lessons Learnt? 8. The Future of UN Peacekeeping

Ireland's pragmatic adaptation to regionalization: the Mid-West region

Ireland is perceived as perhaps the most effective user of EU structural and cohesion funds. Involvement in the EU has contributed significantly to the emergence of the Celtic Tiger. Using regional policy as a lens, this article explores Irelands pragmatic adaptation to European policy. The article examines the Irish socio-economic context, the significance of its institutions and the level of social capital as a context for exploring the countrys adaptation to EU membership and the evolution of its regional policy structures. A more detailed analysis of the impact of adaptation to EU regional policy in the Mid-West region is carried out by means of social network analysis. The patterns of adaptation and institutional and policy learning amongst the main governmental and non-governmental actors in the Mid-West region are examined and conclusions are drawn about the “goodness of fit” between Irelands existing institutions and the EUs regional policy processes and instruments.

Inter‐regional cooperation in the EU and beyond

Abstract In recent years there has been a growth in the degree of inter‐regional cooperation in the EU and beyond. In this article, the EU Commissions role in promoting such cooperation is analyzed. Following an examination of the provisions of Article 10 (ERDF regulation), the main programmes concerned with inter‐regional cooperation are considered: Pacte, Recite and Ecos/Ouverture. The impact of Article 10 on inter‐regional cooperation is evaluated and the successes and failures of the specific programmes are briefly noted. The article concludes by noting that inter‐regional cooperation may in some cases be an important part of the local development process, that it has contributed to the Europeanization of local and regional government, but that it has not dramatically impacted on the institutional structures of local and regional governments in the EU.

EU-CHINA RELATIONS: HISTORICAL AND CONTEMPORARY PERSPECTIVES

This chapter offers and in-depth examination of the origins and the development of EU-China relations, in the context of the EU-China ‘Strategic Partnership’. The chapter looks at how contemporary, bilateral, Member State relations have formed the background to the emergence of EU policies with regard to the PRC. It places a particular focus on offering a contribution which can help in our understanding of how the actors in the EU and in China view each other. The chapter examines how perceptions which shape the contemporary EU-China relationship have been influenced by the legacies of past encounters.

Ireland's Foreign Relations in 2007

The article examines international events in 2007 and Irelands role in international affairs during this period. It looks at the foreign policy process in Ireland, examining government policy, debate in the Oireachtas and, more generally, coverage in the media. Irelands interests and role in the European Union during the German and Portuguese presidencies are considered, especially in the contexts of the Lisbon Treaty, the accession of Bulgaria and Romania and EU external relations. Developments in the UN are reviewed; including Irelands involvement in a number of UN fora, initiatives and peacekeeping operations. Finally, the review looks at Irish governmental policy and involvement in Northern Ireland during 2007 in the contexts of the restored Assembly and Executive and of North-South cooperation.