The transformation of the security environment in Europe
since 1989 has had a profound impact on the North
Atlantic Alliance. In addition to major reductions in the
levels of armed forces and in aspects of their readiness,
availability and deployment, it has led to a number of
new or much expanded tasks for the North Atlantic
Treaty Organisation. These include establishing a process
of dialogue and cooperation with the states of Central
and Eastern Europe and the newly independent states on
the territory of the former Soviet Union; developing a
close working relationship with other institutions, notably
the CSCE and the WEU; and introducing new command
and force structures which reflect the changed strategic
environment. In the follow-up to the July 1990 London
Declaration on a Transformed North Atlantic Alliance
and the publication of the Alliance's new Strategic Con-
cept, a number of studies were set in hand to consider the
future structure and organisation of the Alliance in the
light of decreasing defence resources and major strategic
change. Some of these studies have led to recommend-
ations on which final decisions have still to be made.
Others have not yet reached a conclusion. However in a
number of areas important changes affecting the organis-
ation and functioning of the Alliance have already been
implemented. To the extent possible such changes are
reflected in this volume.
The NATO Handbook is not a formally agreed NATO
document and does not therefore necessarily represent
the official opinion or position of individual member
governments on all policy issues discussed.
NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANISATION
(NATO)
The North Atlantic Treaty, signed in Washington on
4 April 1949, created an Alliance for collective defence as
defined in Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. The
Alliance links fourteen European countries with the
United States and Canada.
MEMBER COUNTRIES
Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece,
Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway,
Portugal, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom and United
States.
The NATO Emblem was adopted as the symbol of the
Atlantic Alliance by the North Atlantic Council in Octo-
ber 1953. The circle is the symbol of unity and cooper-
ation and the compass rose suggests the common road to
peace taken by the 16 member countries of the Atlantic
Alliance. The blue background represents the Atlantic
Ocean.
