Newport, Wales
5 September 2014
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a political and military Alliance whose primary goals are the collective defence of its members and the maintenance of peace and security in the North Atlantic area. This fundamental and enduring purpose is effectively achieved through the Alliance’s three core tasks of collective defence, global crisis management and cooperative security through partnerships.
Since its inception in 1949, NATO has been a central pillar of Euro–Atlantic defence and a cornerstone of Canadian defence and security policy, underpinning Canada’s prosperity. While the nature and the scope of threats faced by Canada and its Allies have changed over time, NATO’s basic tenets of solidarity, dialogue and cooperation continue to define the Alliance’s approach to collective security. NATO members are more secure because security concerns are discussed in a shared forum and addressed collectively, based on a set of common principles and shared values.
Canada is at the forefront of efforts to reform and transform NATO to ensure that it is better able to act as a fit–for–purpose, political and military hub that enables Allies and non–NATO partners to collaboratively address current and emerging security challenges.
NATO is of great importance to Canada as a mechanism for taking action in crisis situations, as seen in Afghanistan and Libya, and a means of continuous engagement on international security issues at senior levels with the United States and European Allies. In response to the current crisis in Ukraine, the Alliance is undertaking a number of measures to promote stability in the region. Currently, a Canadian frigate, CF-18 fighter aircrafts, and personnel are deployed as part of NATO’s reassurance measures in Central and Eastern Europe.
NATO is also an important driver for Canada’s military cooperation with Allies and partners. Membership in the Alliance supports Canada’s three strategic defence and security objectives: to defend Canada, to defend North America, and to project leadership abroad. Along with Allies and partners, the Canadian Armed Forces participate in NATO training and exercises and support NATO’s high readiness forces.
In recent years, Canada has been recognized for the service and sacrifices of the Canadian Armed Forces in NATO operations in Afghanistan, the Balkans and Libya.
Currently, Canada contributes approximately 232 personnel to NATO structures and to our Joint Delegation at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. As of 2014, Canada provides approximately 6 per cent of NATO’s budgets for investment and operations, making it the sixth–largest financial contributor among all Allies.
The North Atlantic Council is the principal political decision–making body within NATO. The Military Committee is NATO’s senior military authority. It meets frequently in Brussels, where the Military Representative represents the Chief of the Defence Staff.
The 2014 NATO Summit in Wales comes at a significant moment, as the Alliance completes its longest–ever combat mission in Afghanistan and as Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has fundamentally challenged the world’s vision of a free and peaceful Europe. The Summit is an opportunity to demonstrate that the trans–Atlantic bond, upon which the Alliance is built, is as vital and as strong today as it was when the Alliance was created.
