NATOsáttmálans

NATOsáttmálinn, also known as the North Atlantic Treaty, is the foundational treaty of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). It was signed in Washington D.C. on April 4, 1949, by twelve founding member states. The primary objective of the treaty is to guarantee the freedom and security of its members through political and military means.

The core principle enshrined in NATOsáttmálinn is collective defense, outlined in Article 5. This article states that an armed attack against one member in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all. Consequently, if such an attack occurs, each member will assist the attacked party, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security of the North Atlantic area. This commitment is central to NATO's deterrence strategy.

Beyond collective defense, the treaty also promotes cooperation among member states on various security-related issues, fostering political consultation and collaboration. It emphasizes the peaceful resolution of disputes and aims to prevent conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. NATOsáttmálinn has been amended and expanded over time to accommodate new members and evolving security challenges, but its fundamental principles of collective security and cooperation remain unchanged. The treaty serves as the legal and political basis for the alliance's existence and operations.