The defense alliance Nato turns 75 this year. The anniversary will be marked with a celebration in all NATO countries on Thursday 4 April.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, US Foreign Minister Antony Blinken and Espen Barth Eide were among those who studied the Atlantic Pact from 1949, during the 75-year commemoration in Brussels on Thursday. Photo: NATO
On 4 April 1949, the Atlantic Pact was signed in Washington, DC. The Pact forms the basis for the creation of the “North Atlantic Treaty Organization”.
Norway was one of the 12 countries behind the shipping. The purpose was to protect and intimidate against Soviet expansionism and ensure a strong North American presence on the continent.
Over the years, NATO has adapted and developed its security and defense apparatus in line with international developments and changes in the threat picture. The alliance has proven to be both robust and flexible.
– NATO is stronger and more relevant than anything. 75 years with NATO is also 75 years of security in Norway. With NATO at our back, we could rebuild the country in peace and develop a robust welfare state, says Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide.
Norway has been a member since the beginning in 1949. As a small country with a border with Russia, with much to protect and limited power, Norway is completely dependent on an alliance behind it to secure the country.
– Should we be attacked, our peace and freedom depend on NATO and close allies. At the same time, our obligation as an ally is that we are prepared to politically and militarily support our allies when required, says Eide.
Russia’s war against Ukraine has strengthened and expanded the alliance, and brought the whole of the Nordic countries together as allies.
– Russia has made the world more dangerous, but Norway is safe because we are a member of a strong political and military alliance. Norway itself is protected and we contribute to protecting our confederates. But the security situation is serious, and our security will not come by itself, says Eide.
– We must accept that if Russia wins the war against Ukraine, it will show both them and other anti-democratic actors that borders can be changed by force. In the long term, it will make the world more unstable and everyone’s security less, he says.
The geopolitical landscape has changed rapidly, but support for Ukraine is still strong. Russia’s war of aggression has led to new and stronger partnerships among Ukraine’s supporting players – also with countries outside Europe.
– We must preserve this. It is important for everyone’s future. Finland and Sweden as our allies in NATO is historic. Now we can coordinate and plan defense with our Nordic neighbors in a completely different way than before. The “Nordic Response” exercise in the spring of 2024 is a good example of the joint work that is now being done on the defense side. For example, the combined Nordic fighter fleet constitutes a formidable regional defense capacity, says Eide.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre announced in the spring of 2024 that Norway will spend 2 percent of GDP on defense spending this year. The government is serious about investing in security, defense and preparedness, and it is urgent. It is urgent for Norway, for Europe and for the entire transatlantic community.
– NATO’s relevance and strength depend on everyone contributing. In the coming years, the Nordic allies must also demonstrate that we can take greater responsibility for our own security and that the Nordic countries collectively, and individually, contribute more to European security, says the foreign minister.
Facts about NATO
- 1949: “North Atlantic Treaty Organization” established by these 12 countries: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom and the United States.
- The treaty is enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter, which affirms the right of independent states to individual or collective defence.
- Collective defense is at the heart of the treaty and is enshrined in Article 5. It obliges the members to protect each other if they are attacked.
- NATO currently consists of 32 member states, after Finland and Sweden became members in 2023 and 2024.