NATO

:This Wikipedia article uses European English spelling because of NATO's historical use of this style as a standard{{fn|1}}. NATO is also an acronym for the National Association of Theatre Owners.

Political structure

Like any alliance, NATO is ultimately governed by its 26 member states. However, the North Atlantic Treaty, and other agreements, outline how decisions are to be made within NATO. Each of the 26 members sends a delegation or mission to NATO's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. The senior permanent member of each delegation is known as the Permanent Representative and is generally a senior civil servant or an experienced ambassador (and holding that diplomatic rank).

Related Topics:
Brussels - Belgium - Civil servant - Ambassador

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Together the Permanent Members form the North Atlantic Council (NAC), a body which meets together at least once a week and has effective political authority and powers of decision in NATO.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

From time to time the Council also meets at higher levels involving Foreign Ministers, Defence Ministers or Heads of Government and it is at these meetings that major decisions regarding NATO's policies are generally taken. However, it is worth noting that the Council has the same authority and powers of decision-making, and its decisions have the same status and validity, at whatever level it meets.

Related Topics:
Foreign Minister - Defence Minister - Heads of Government

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The meetings of the North Atlantic Council are chaired by the Secretary General of NATO and, when decisions have to be made, action is agreed upon on the basis of unanimity and common accord. There is no voting or decision by majority. Each nation represented at the Council table or on any of its subordinate committees retains complete sovereignty and responsibility for its own decisions.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• The second pivotal member of each country's delegation is the Military Representative, a senior officer from each country's armed forces. Together the Military Representatives form the Military Committee, a body responsible for recommending to NATO's political authorities those measures considered necessary for the common defence of the NATO area. Its principal role is to provide direction and advice on military policy and strategy. It provides guidance on military matters to the NATO Strategic Commanders, whose representatives attend its meetings, and is responsible for the overall conduct of the military affairs of the Alliance under the authority of the Council.

Like the council, from time to time the Military Committee also meets at a higher level, namely at the level of Chiefs of Defence, the most senior military officer in each nations armed forces.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• In addition to this strictly internal structure, there is a number of institutionalised cooperations and consultations in a spirit of partnership.
• Since 1994, the Mediterranean Dialogue is a forum with pro-western Arab countries (Egypt, Algeria, Jordan, Morocco, Mauritania and Tunisia) and Israel.
• Partnership for peace