NATO’s principal goal is to guarantee the freedom and security of all its member countries by political and military means. These must be in accordance with both the North Atlantic Treaty and the principles of the United Nations Charter. The Alliance has always worked hard for the establishment of a just and lasting peaceful order in Europe based on common values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. This central NATO objective has been given a new significance since the end of the Cold War because, for the first time in the post-war history of Europe, the prospect of its achievement has become a reality. NATO represents the transatlantic link by which the security of North America and Europe are permanently tied together. It is the practical expression of collective effort among its members in support of their common security interests. The fundamental principle motivating the Alliance is a common engagement to mutual cooperation among the member states, based on the integrity of their security. Solidarity within the Alliance ensures that no member country is forced to rely upon its own national efforts alone in dealing with security challenges. The Alliance enables its member countries to preserve their security through mutual guarantees and stable relations with other countries. At the same time each member country has the right and duty to undertake its sovereign responsibilities in the field of defence. The North Atlantic Treaty of April 1949 was established within the framework of Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, which states the essential right of independent states to individual or collective defence. At the time of its signature, the immediate purpose of NATO was to defend its members against a potential threat resulting from the policies and growing military capacity of the former Soviet Union.
NATO is an intergovernmental organization in which member countries preserve their full sovereignty and independence. It provides the forum in which they consult together on any issues they may choose to raise and take decisions on political and military matters affecting their security. It has the structures needed to promote consultation and cooperation between them, in political, military and economic as well as scientific fields. The resulting sense of equal security among the members of the Alliance contributes to stability in the Euro-Atlantic area. The means by which the Alliance carries out its security policies include:
The maintenance of a sufficient military capability to prevent war and to provide for effective defence;
An overall capability to manage crises affecting the security of its members;
Active promotion of dialogue with other nations and cooperative approach to European security, including measures to bring about further progress in the field of arms control and disarmament.
To achieve its essential purpose NATO performs the following fundamental security tasks:
Security: It provides foundation for a stable Euro-Atlantic security environment.
Consultation: It serves as a basic transatlantic forum for consultations on any issues affecting NATO member countries’ vital interests.
Deterrence and Defence: This task is based on Articles 5 and 6 of the Washington Treaty.
Other tasks result from the necessity to enhance security and stability of the Euro-Atlantic area:
Crisis Management: NATO countries stand ready to contribute to effective conflict prevention. They are prepared to engage actively in crisis management, including crisis response operations.
Partnership: Cooperation and dialogue with other countries increases transparency and mutual confidence in the Euro-Atlantic area.
The structures created within NATO enable member countries to coordinate their policies in order to fulfil these fundamental tasks.
Naposledy změněno: pátek, 4. února 2011, 13.32