Ireland's voice in the world and the pursuit of Ireland's foreign policy is greatly enhanced through its participation in the formulation and implementation of the European Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP).  As a community of shared values, the EU is uniquely placed to play a role in support of international peace and stability.  The central aims of the CFSP are to develop EU common positions intended to preserve peace and international security, promote international co-operation, and develop and consolidate democracy and the rule of law.

Ireland and its EU partners work together to promote international peace and security and co-operative and mutually beneficial relations with neighbouring states and regions.  In this context, the EU coordinates closely at the UN in the six main committees of the General Assembly and its subordinate bodies, and in ECOSOC and its functional commissions.  Member States are required to uphold EU positions in international organisations, and as a result the EU's collective weight can have more impact in the world.

The Treaty of Lisbon gave rise to institutional changes in the area of EU Foreign and Security policy, including the establishment of a new EU External Action Service, led by a High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy.  These institutional changes, which were designed to ensure a more coherent and effective EU external action, are reflected in how the EU now operates at the UN in New York.  The EU delegation to the UN is responsible for day-to-day EU coordination and presentation of agreed EU positions to the General Assembly.  The EU delegation continues to work in close cooperation with the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union, in particular to ensure effective representation of the Union in UN organs and bodies outside of the General Assembly.  Ireland has held the six-month Presidency on six occasions, in 1975, 1979, 1984, 1990, 1996 and 2004, and will do so again in 2013.