11 - NATO structure and standards

Abstract

This chapter describes the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) structure and standards. The North Atlantic Treaty was signed on 4 April 1949. It provided the political framework for an international defensive alliance based on the inherent right to individual and collaborative self-defense accorded by Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. The original North Atlantic Treaty was signed by the 12 governments of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom and the United States. NATO possesses adequate military forces to implement its military strategy of flexible response and forward defense. There is no hierarchy among NATO nations. All members are equal and allied decisions are taken unanimously—or not at all. In the North Atlantic Council, all 16 member countries are represented and it is here that they consult and take decisions. Most defense matters are dealt with by the Defense Planning Committee, in which all member countries except France participate.