Peace and Neutrality Alliance
Press Release
MEPs debate the importance of neutrality to the European peace movement
Irish peace groups and MEPs from the Left group of the European Parliament convened a Webinar (16/12/2020) to discuss issues of crucial importance to the peace movement in Ireland and Europe. Chaired by Clare Daly MEP (Independents 4 Change, Dublin) members of the public heard from PANA Chair Roger Cole on the history of Irish neutrality. Özlem Demirel MEP (Die Linke, Germany) spoke about the accelerating militarisation of Europe under the EU’s mechanisms for a “common defence.” The veteran anti-war campaigner Ed Horgan (Shannonwatch) discussed the failure of the United Nations as an institutional forum for peace-keeping. The final speaker, Mick Wallace MEP (Independents 4 Change, Wexford) spoke about the worsening geopolitical environment in EU foreign affairs, and the continuing importance of evicting the United States military from Shannon Airport.