Monday 4th of April in 1949, 12 nations Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States signed the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington, DC.  At the heart of the treaty lay article 5 which states that: “The Parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all and consequently they agree that, if such an armed attack occurs, each of them, in exercise of the right of individual or collective self-defence recognised by Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, will assist the Party or Parties so attacked by taking forthwith, individually and in concert with the other Parties, such action as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security of the North Atlantic area” (ref. European navigator with link)

By signing the North Atlantic Treaty the European Nations expected above all that it would bring them the benefit of American protection and military aid. The United States hoped that the existence of NATO would convince the Soviet Union to restrain its expansionist ambitions and, due to American participation, would help to overcome the outdated balance-of-power concept that had dominated European politics for centuries.  NATO through its political and military structures was therefore meant to contribute decisively to the establishment of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous continent.

For the military, the development of military cooperation, interoperability and the integrated military structure have been the focus of the organization since its inception and still play a major role.  General Eisenhower, as the first SACEUR, and his ACE staff worked within the constraints of a Europe that was recovering from the ravages of World War II and still stood on the edge of economic collapse. The creation of a common defence against the threat of Communist aggression was SHAPE’s main task but General Eisenhower’s most enduring contribution was developing a sense of partnership and self-confidence among the NATO member nations. General Eisenhower believed that his NATO command was unique. It was the first time, as he later commented, that a multinational army was created “to preserve the peace and not to wage war”.

Since then, NATO has expanded its membership and taken on many new tasks but continues to be the ultimate guarantor of peace and stability in the North American and European continents.  On the 1st of April this year, NATO welcomed two new members Albania and Croatia.  Extending that guarantee a little further but also increasing the number of nations that share the responsibilities of collective security.  Today, as NATO celebrates its 60th anniversary, we can proudly say that NATO has been as success, it oversaw the extensive political and economic reconstruction of a European continent devastated by world war.  It created an enduring transatlantic community based on common values and ideals, prevailing in the cold war and seeing a decades-long conflict come to a peaceful conclusion.  It fostered the re-unification of Germany and, through membership enlargement, has helped embed democratic values throughout former Warsaw pact countries in central and Eastern Europe.  It contributed to the resolution of conflict in the Balkans and the reintegration of that region into the whole of Europe. 

Looking to the future, we know that NATO has significant challenges to face but history tells us that collectively we’ll find a way to succeed.