A leading diplomat who has held posts in Belfast, Dublin, Paris and Brussels joins Co-Operation Ireland

A diplomat who was the UK’s last ambassador to the European Union has joined the board of Co-Operation Ireland.
By Ben Lowry
Published 30th Jun 2020, 15:11 BST
Updated 30th Jun 2020, 23:44 BST
The then Taoiseach Enda Kenny is greeted by British Ambassador to Ireland Julian King (left) in Cork in 2011. Photo: Niall Carson/PA WireThe then Taoiseach Enda Kenny is greeted by British Ambassador to Ireland Julian King (left) in Cork in 2011. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire
The then Taoiseach Enda Kenny is greeted by British Ambassador to Ireland Julian King (left) in Cork in 2011. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Sir Julian King, who is also a former director general of the Northern Ireland Office, was the British ambassador to the Republic of Ireland at the time of the Queen’s historic first visit there in 2011.

Other prime postings that he has held include UK ambassador to France.

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Dr Christopher Moran, who is chair of Co-Operation Ireland, said of his latest board member: “It is a very important appointment, given his seniority and what he has done.”

Julian King, right, then Director General of the Northern Ireland Office, in 2012, pictured with Dame Geraldine Keegan and Linda Watson on a visit to the Magee campusJulian King, right, then Director General of the Northern Ireland Office, in 2012, pictured with Dame Geraldine Keegan and Linda Watson on a visit to the Magee campus
Julian King, right, then Director General of the Northern Ireland Office, in 2012, pictured with Dame Geraldine Keegan and Linda Watson on a visit to the Magee campus

Dr Moran, who says that he is half Irish and half British, has been chairman of the reconciliation charity since 2005.

He told the News Letter: “Julian King worked with me on the state visit of the Queen in 2011 and worked with me on the [Martin McGuinness] handshake which I hosted at the Lyric and worked with me on the return state visit to London [by President Michael Higgins].”

Sir Julian was also a commissioner on the powerful European Commission, which effectively runs the EU, where he had responsibility for security.

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Dr Moran said that Sir Julian had a “unique join-up” of London, Belfast, Dublin and Brussels, which would be timely when the UK is in the middle of its withdrawal phase, and has to implement and agree protocols on how Northern Ireland trades with both Great Britain and the Republic. “He will bring considerable eloquence to all those discussions,”.

Dr Moran conceded that cross border relations had become complicated since the 2016 referendum vote to leave the EU. “It has been difficult since Brexit. We were on a wonderful trajectory in terms of London-Dublin relations.”

Dr Moran, who describes himself as a businessman and a public servant, has restored at great expense a medieval building in London which is now his home, Crosby Hall. He hosted the Queen and the then Irish president, Mary McAleese, there in 2005, which his website describes as the first dialogue between the two heads of state, and which was a precursor to the 2011 visit.

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Related topics:European UnionQueenParis