NATOjäsenyys

Natojäsenyys refers to the status of being a member state of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). NATO is an intergovernmental military alliance between 32 member states – 30 European and North American countries. The organization implements the North Atlantic Treaty that was signed on 4 April 1949.

Membership in NATO is based on the principle of collective defense, enshrined in Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty. This article states that an attack against one member shall be considered an attack against all members. Consequently, if a member state is attacked, other members will assist the attacked state, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security of the North Atlantic area.

The process for a country to join NATO involves meeting certain political, economic, and military criteria. These criteria are often referred to as the Membership Action Plan (MAP). Prospective member countries must demonstrate their commitment to democratic values, economic freedom, and the rule of law. They also need to show they can contribute to the security of the alliance and are willing to uphold the principles of the treaty.

The decision to invite a country to join NATO is made by consensus among all existing member states. Once invited, the country must ratify the accession protocol in its national parliament. Membership provides security guarantees, promotes political and military cooperation, and allows for participation in NATO's decision-making processes. Conversely, it also entails responsibilities, including contributing to collective defense efforts and aligning defense policies with those of the alliance.