The door to NATO membership under Article 10 of the North Atlantic Treaty is open. The Membership Action Plan (MAP) is designed to intensify firm commitment to further enlargement by putting into place a programme of activities to assist aspiring countries in their preparations for their possible future membership. Decisions made by aspirants on the basis of advice received will remain national decisions. They are all undertaken and implemented at the exclusive responsibility of the country. The programme offers aspirant countries a list of activities from which they may select those they consider the most valuable to help them in their preparations. Active participation in PfP and EAPC mechanisms remains essential for those countries who wish to deepen their political and military engagement in the work of NATO. Any decision to invite an aspirant to begin accession talks with the Alliance will be made on a case-by-case basis by Allies in accordance with paragraph 8 of the Madrid Summit Declaration, and the Washington Summit Declaration. Participation in the Membership Action Plan does not imply any timeframe for any such decision. It does not guarantee eventual membership. The programme cannot be considered as a list of criteria for membership. MAP is divided into five chapters (Political and Economic issues, Defence/Military issues, Resource issues, Security issues and Legal issues). Within each of those chapters, the MAP identifies what might be discussed. It also highlights mechanisms of preparation. The list of issues should include matters which were identified by the aspirant country as the most important ones. Each aspiring country will be requested to draw up an annual national programme on preparations for possible future membership. In it the aspirant has to set objectives and targets for its preparations. It must include specific information on steps being taken, the responsible authorities and, where appropriate, a schedule of work on specific aspects of those preparations. It is open to aspirants to update the programme when they choose. The programme would form a basis for the Alliance to keep track of aspirants' progress and to provide feedback. Meetings will take place in the Council and other bodies. Feedback and advice to aspirants on MAP issues will be provided. NATO team workshops will be held, when justified, to discuss particular MAP issues. Each year the Alliance will draw up for individual aspirants a report providing feedback focused on progress made in the areas covered in their annual national programmes. This document would form the basis of discussion at a meeting of the North Atlantic Council with the aspirant country. The report would help identify areas for further action.
Examples of the most important issues:
Political and Economic issues - future members must follow basic principles stated in the Washington Treaty such as democracy, individual liberty and other relevant provisions set out in its Preamble. They are also supposed to settle their international disputes by peaceful means, to demonstrate commitment to the rule of law and human rights, to settle ethnic disputes or external territorial disputes by peaceful means and to pursue good neighbourly relations, to establish appropriate democratic and civilian control of their armed forces, to refrain from the threat or use of force in any manner inconsistent with the purposes of the UN, to contribute to the development of peaceful and friendly international relations, to continue fully to support and be engaged in the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council and the Partnership for Peace, to show a commitment to promoting stability and well-being by economic liberty, social justice and environmental responsibility, etc.
Defence/Military issues - The ability of aspiring countries to contribute militarily to collective defence and to the Alliance's new missions and their willingness to commit to gradual improvements in their military capabilities will be factors to be examined in determining their suitability for NATO membership. Full participation in operational PfP is an essential component, as it will further deepen aspirants' political and military ties with the Alliance. New members of the Alliance must be prepared to share the roles, risks, responsibilities, benefits and burdens of common security and collective defence.
Resource issues - new Alliance members would be expected to set sufficient budget resources to allow themselves to meet the commitments resulting from possible membership. National programmes of aspirants must put in place the necessary structures to plan and implement defence budgets that meet established defence priorities and make provision for training schemes to familiarise staff with NATO practices and procedures in order to prepare for possible future participation in Alliance structures.
Security issues - aspirants would be expected upon accession to have in place sufficient safeguards and procedures to ensure the security of the most sensitive information.
Legal issues - aspirants should examine and become acquainted with the appropriate legal arrangements and agreements which govern cooperation within NATO. This should enable aspirants to examine domestic law for compatibility with those NATO rules and regulations. In addition, aspirants should be properly informed about the formal legal process leading to membership.
Naposledy změněno: pátek, 4. února 2011, 13.32