WORKING WITH OTHER ORGANISATIONS

A coordinated effort - NATO does not work in isolation. It complements the work of other organisations which focus on different facets of security. They all reinforce each other and work toward creating a safer and more peaceful environment in which economies can prosper and individuals flourish.

The United Nations (UN) - An international organisation which aims to maintain peace and security and develop economic, social, cultural and humanitarian cooperation throughout the world. The UN provides the legal basis for NATO. Article 51 of the Charter of the UN, cited in NATO's founding treaty (Article 5) provides that each UN member has the right of individual or collective self-defence. As well as exercising this right to self-defence, NATO can also take action on the request of the UN.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) - A regional political and military organisation which works toward peace and stability across the Euro-Atlantic area through the collective defence of its members and the development of partnerships with non-NATO countries. Dialogue and cooperation are key to achieving this.

The European Union (EU) - A regional organisation which is striving for closer European integration in economic, financial, social and security fields. It is currently developing a common foreign and security policy (CFSP) and to this effect has absorbed many of the functions of the Western European Union, a regional security organisation created in 1948, whose operational role was suspended in 2000.

The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) - A regional organisation which aims to develop democracy and human rights in Europe (includes the membership of Canada and the United States). It also takes measures to encourage preventive diplomacy, conflict prevention, the peaceful resolution of conflicts and disarmament. NATO can also take action on its request.

Council of Europe (CoE) - A regional organisation which focuses on human rights, the rule of law and the respect of democratic principles. It covers all other major issues except for defence.