NATO
Photo: REGIERUNGonline / Kühler
Session of the North Atlantic Council
The North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO) is the world's largest security policy
alliance. Originally conceived as an alliance for collective
defence in the event of an attack on member states, its
significance has since undergone considerable change.
The alliance sees itself as a
community of values held in common by free democratic states. The
Preamble of the North Atlantic Treaty describes the nature and
purpose of the alliance as follows:
"The Parties to this Treaty reaffirm their faith in the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and their desire to live in peace with all peoples and all governments. They are determined to safeguard the freedom, common heritage and civilisation of their peoples, founded on the principles of democracy, individual liberty and the rule of law.
They seek to promote stability and well-being in the North Atlantic area. They are resolved to unite their efforts for collective defence and for the preservation of peace and security. They therefore agree to this North Atlantic Treaty."
"The Parties to this Treaty reaffirm their faith in the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and their desire to live in peace with all peoples and all governments. They are determined to safeguard the freedom, common heritage and civilisation of their peoples, founded on the principles of democracy, individual liberty and the rule of law.
They seek to promote stability and well-being in the North Atlantic area. They are resolved to unite their efforts for collective defence and for the preservation of peace and security. They therefore agree to this North Atlantic Treaty."
Seite 1 of 8
next
page
