What is NATO?

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) was founded in 1949, primarily as a military alliance to counter the potential Soviet threat to Western Europe.

But NATO is increasingly recognised today as a global manager of security. It has been operating outside Europe since 2003 in a number of countries and roles, e.g. commanding the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan or helping to train Iraqi security forces.

The fundamental role of NATO is to ensure the freedom and security of its 26 member countries by political and military means.

It's an organisation for collective defence - that means an attack against one member is considered an attack against all.

The organisation does not have its own army, navy or air force. All member countries that are involved with the military side of the Alliance contribute forces and equipment to operations.

NATO has an open door policy on enlargement. Any European country in a position to further the principles of the Alliance and contribute to security in the Euro-Atlantic area can become a member.

Non-members increasingly show interest and Croatia and Albania were invited to begin proceedings for accession to NATO in April 2008. They will become members in 2009.

Why do we need an effective NATO?

NATO’s objectives are to:

• provide the foundation for stability in the Euro-Atlantic area, based on the growth of democratic institutions and the peaceful resolution of disputes
• provide a forum for the US, Canada and Europe to consult on security issues and to take joint action to address them
• defend its members against threats and aggression
• contribute to effective prevention of conflict and crisis management
• promote partnership and co-operation with other countries, with the aim of increasing transparency, confidence and scope for joint action.

UK Delegation to NATO

A delegation is effectively an embassy that represents a nation within NATO.

The UK Delegation's role is to promote British interests in NATO and to keep ministers and government departments informed about NATO discussions.

The Delegation is always working to ensure that the UK plays a full and influential role in the North Atlantic Council, the Military Committee and across the spectrum of NATO activities.

It's headed by an Ambassador, Mr Stewart Eldon, and the UK's Military Representative to NATO, Vice Admiral Anthony K Dymock. And staffed by civilian personnel from:

• Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO)
• Ministry of Defence (MoD)

And military personnel from:

• all three British Armed Services

This is because NATO has both a political and a military committee structure for consultations and consensus decision-making.

The UK Delegation to NATO website has lots more info about the work they do.

The UK in NATO

The UK is a founder member of the Alliance. We are a major financial contributor and almost all UK Armed Forces can be assigned to NATO in times of crisis.

The interdependence between the UK and NATO is emphasised in the Strategic Defence Review created by the Ministry of Defence (2002).

The review states that the UK’s security is indivisible from that of Europe, which is why we have an interest in a secure, stable European continent and an effective NATO.

The Minister for Europe, currently leads on the UK’s involvement in NATO. 

National Security Strategy

The UK’s National Security Strategy (launched March 2008) underlines the importance of both NATO and the EU to Britain’s security:

'A strong EU and NATO inherently promote both European and regional security, complementing the contribution of global institutions, and we will support the expansion of both and closer cooperation between them.'