History
NATO was established after World War II in between 1945 -1949, as a response to the political, economic, and military threats posed by the Soviet Union to Western democracies. The spread of non-democratic regimes in Eastern Europe, the expansion of the Red Army, and Moscow’s aggressive policies constituted a serious threat to the peace and development of Western Europe. In response, five Western states—Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom—signed the Treaty of Brussels in 1948, laying the groundwork for a joint defense system (A.L. Bennett, 2004).
Negotiations with the United States and Canada culminated in the creation of NATO in April 1949, based on the Washington Treaty. The treaty included 12 founding states and was built on the principle of collective security guarantees between North America and Europe. NATO’s expansion began in 1952 with the inclusion of Greece and Turkey and continued with the membership of other countries, such as West Germany, Spain, and later, after the fall of communism, the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Following Russian aggression in Ukraine, Finland and Sweden became the newest members. Initially created to support European security during the Cold War, NATO operates in compliance with the United Nations Charter and promotes collective security. Although initiated by Western European countries, the alliance gained support and later leadership from the United States and Canada, becoming a significant player in international history (A.L. Bennett, 2004).
Core Security Mission
NATO’s primary goal is to defend the freedom and security of its member states in line with the treaty and the universal principles of the United Nations Charter, particularly Article 51, which guarantees the right to individual or collective defense. NATO has established a transatlantic security link, integrating security structures between Europe and North America. Its fundamental principle is collective commitment and solidarity in addressing security challenges. As an intergovernmental organization of sovereign states, NATO provides equal security for all its members, regardless of their defensive capabilities. It manages crises, promotes dialogue with non-member countries, and engages in disarmament and arms control. Its main tasks include security, consultations, defense, crisis resolution, and partnerships. Over time, NATO has adapted its activities to changes in the security environment, reflecting these adjustments through summits such as those in Rome (1991) and Prague (2002), emphasizing its global role and commitment to transatlantic security (NATO, 2006).
Alliance Structure
NATO is a free political-military organization of independent states, without a supranational governing body. Decisions in NATO are made through consensus. Its highest authority is the North Atlantic Council (NAC), established shortly after the treaty was signed. The council consists of representatives from all member countries and elects a secretariat, which functions as both an executive body and the council’s secretariat (NATO, 2006).
Permanent Representatives: Ambassadors meet more frequently, at least once a week. The chair of the council rotates among members and also heads NATO’s International Secretariat, the civilian branch of the organization.
Military Structure: In June 1994, NATO adopted a new command structure, consolidating its Allied Command Channels into two main commands:
Allied Command Europe (ACE): Led by the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), headquartered in Brussels, it oversees areas from Norway to Southern Europe, including the Mediterranean and Eastern Turkey.
Allied Command Atlantic (SACLANT) : Led by the Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic, based in Virginia, USA, covering areas from the North Pole to the Tropics, including the coasts of North America, Europe, and Africa, excluding the British Isles.
EU-NATO Relationship
EU-NATO cooperation is a fundamental pillar of the EU’s efforts to strengthen European security and defence, forming an essential part of the EU Global Strategy’s implementation. It also contributes to Transatlantic burden-sharing, reinforcing both the EU and NATO. On 8 July 2016, the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission, and the Secretary General of NATO signed a Joint Declaration in Warsaw, aimed at reinvigorating and deepening the EU-NATO strategic partnership. This declaration identified seven key areas for enhanced cooperation: countering hybrid threats, operational cooperation (including maritime security and migration management), cybersecurity and defence, defence capabilities, defence industry and research, joint exercises, and capacity-building support for Eastern and Southern partners. Based on this mandate, the EU and NATO Councils endorsed common sets of proposals in December 2016 and 2017, leading to the implementation of 74 concrete actions across these areas. Five progress reports have since been published, highlighting key achievements and the added value of EU-NATO cooperation. On 10 July 2018, EU and NATO leaders signed a second Joint Declaration in Brussels, calling for swift and tangible progress in implementing their cooperation objectives. EU-NATO cooperation has now become an established norm and a daily practice, guided by core principles of openness, transparency, inclusiveness, and reciprocity, while respecting the decision-making autonomy of both organisations. This partnership continues to evolve while maintaining the distinct security and defence policies of each Member State, ensuring a stronger and more resilient transatlantic security framework.
NATO’s Role in Kosovo
At its peak, NATO’s KFOR mission in Kosovo included around 50,000 peacekeepers, though this number has decreased to approximately 4,000 today. KFOR troops, representing 27 countries, are tasked with providing a safe environment and freedom of movement for all communities in Kosovo. Their mandate derives from UN Security Council Resolution 1244, adopted on June 10, 1999, following the Kumanovo Technical Agreement, which mandated the withdrawal of Serbian forces from Kosovo and the entry of international peacekeeping forces. While troop numbers have declined over the years as the situation improved, recent tensions in Northern Kosovo have prompted NATO to increase its forces to restore calm (Ahmeti, Radio Free Europe, 2023).
Kosovo’s accession to NATO remains unattainable without resolving tensions with Serbia. Therefore, it is essential to work towards an agreement that could pave the way for lasting peace between Kosovo and Serbia. Reaching such a compromise could eliminate a key challenge posed by NATO member states that have close ties with Serbia, such as Spain, Romania, and Slovakia, and mitigate potential obstacles to Kosovo’s membership. The current geopolitical shifts, including the possibility of a compromise to end the war in Ukraine, may create opportunities to strengthen relations with our allies—particularly the United States—and accelerate Kosovo’s path toward NATO membership.
References:
A.L. Bennett. (2004). International Organizations.
Ahmeti, N. (2023, June 1). Radio Free Europe. Retrieved from Radio Evropa e Lirë
Ajazi, A. (2015, April 10). Gazeta Dielli. Retrieved from Gazeta Dielli
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (n.d.). Retrieved from Ministria e Jashtme
NATO. (2006). NATO Handbook.
