NATO essential 

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) was founded with the participation of 10 European and 2 North American states on the basis of the Washington Treaty signed in 1949. In that treaty, the member states committed themselves to sharing the risks stemming from collective defence while enjoying the advantages deriving from the latter. NATO’s purpose is to defence the freedom and security of its member states in accordance with the North Atlantic Treaty and the principles of the United Nations’ Charter.

The basic operational principle of the Alliance – joint commitment and co-operation between sovereign states – is based on the indivisibility of the security of the member states. Solidarity within the Alliance ensures that no member state will be forced to face essential security challenges on its own, having to rely exclusively on its own efforts. NATO does not deprive member states of their right and obligation to exert their sovereign responsibility for the defence of their own country. However, it does enable member states to fulfil their basic national security goals through collective efforts. NATO’s decisions are taken by consensus.