NATO Contact Point Embassies

NATO established the network of Contact Point Embassies (CPE) in 1992 with the aim of supporting a flow of information and partnership within the Alliance. The embassies operate in states enrolled in the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) Programme. The sender state appoints from within the embassies the contact person(s) or department primarily responsible for liaising. The general task of the Contact Point Embassies operating in EAPC partner countries is to disseminate information in the host country about the alliance’s goals and activities. NATO’s Public Diplomacy Division (PDD) provides guidance and assistance to this task. The OIP staff keeps direct working contact with the contact persons at each embassy.

Special tasks of the embassies:

• Disseminating information among the general public in the host country, as well as influential personalities and nstitutions, and forming personal contacts;
• Publicizing among private individuals NATO’s scholarships, forwarding and evaluating applications received;
• Organising and assisting with conferences and seminars with the participation of NATO’s civilian and military leaders;
• Informing NATO Headquarters about the local reception of news, events related to NATO activities;
• Collaborating in preparations and organisation of visits of NATO leaders in the host country.

The role of the Contact Point Embassy is assumed by members of the alliance on a voluntary basis, for a two-year period. Relevant posts are distributed on the basis of negotiations, whose co-ordinator is the PDD. In 2006-2008, The Hungarian Republic’s Embassy in Zagreb filled the post of Contact Point Embassy.