NATO
From SR
Contents |
Roles
The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) is a military alliance of 26 democratic countries from North America and Europe committed to fulfilling the goals of the North Atlantic. The treaty was signed on 4 April 1949
In accrodance with the fundamental role of NATO is to safeguard the freedom and security of its member countries by political and military means.
NATO provides a forum in which the United States, Canada and Eurpoean Countries can consult together on securty issues od common conern and take joint action in addressing them.
NATO is committed to defending its member states against aggression or the threat of aggression and to the principle where an attack against one or several members would be considered an attack against all.
The 26 member countries retain their full sovereignty. All NATO decisions are taken jointly by the member countries on the basis of consensus.
North Atlantic Council
NATOs most important decision making body is the North Atlantic Council which brings together the representatives of 26 Allies at the level of Ambassadors, Ministers or Heads of State and Government.
Structure
NATOs military structure is a multinational force planning, organising and command system. It provides for joint planning, training, exercising and operations, under the command of NATOs strategic commanders.
Modernisation Process
At the 2002 NATO summit in Prague, Allies launched a modernisation process designed to ensure that NATO can effectively deal with 21st century threats. This process was further strenghtened at the summit in 2004 in Istanbul.
