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Global issues

NATO and the UK

The UK is a founder member NATO. It is a major financial contributor to the alliance, 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 [PDF, 550KB] 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 of State, Ivan Lewis, currently leads on the UK’s involvement in NATO.

NATO and UK national security

The UK’s National Security Strategy 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.'

The 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, Sir Stewart Eldon, and the UK's Military Representative to NATO, Lieutenant General David Bill. The staff are civilian personnel from:

  • Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO)
  • Ministry of Defence (MoD)
  • military personnel from all three British Armed Services.

For more detail on the UK Delegation to NATO's work, visit the delegation's website.


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