NATO open door policy

Last updated

In the context of the enlargement of NATO, Article 10 of the North Atlantic Treaty is the origin for the April 1999 statement of a "NATO open door policy". [1] [2] The open door policy requires a consensus in favour of countries applying to join NATO, as all member states must ratify the protocol enabling a new country to become a member of NATO. The open door policy "is aimed at promoting stability and cooperation". [3]

Contents

History

Post-Cold War expansion of NATO

George W. Bush's March 2004 speech (mentions open door policy at 7:03)

Following the Eastern European Revolutions of 1989, countries from the former Eastern bloc expressed their interest in joining NATO. During a March 1992 visit to Warsaw, NATO Secretary General Manfred Wörner said that the "doors to NATO are open". [4] During the December 1994 OSSE conference in Budapest, the United States and its NATO allies stated that no European countries should be prevented from joining the alliance. [5]

According to Vladimir Putin, he had asked whether or not Russia could join NATO in 1999. He recounted in February 2024 that Bill Clinton answered him, "I’ve talked to my team. No, no, it’s not possible now." [6]

On March 12, 1999, Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic joined NATO as the first former Eastern Bloc states, beginning the expansion of NATO eastwards. [7] When Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia joined on March 29, 2004, [8] U.S. President George W. Bush prepared for even further expansion of the alliance. During the welcoming ceremony held the same day, he said:

The door to NATO will remain open until the whole of Europe is united in freedom and in peace

—  George W. Bush, 29 March 2004 [9]

The April 2008 Bucharest Summit communiqué re-affirmed the NATO allies' "commitment to keeping NATO's door open to any European democracy willing and able to assume the responsibilities and obligations of membership, in accordance with Article 10 of the Washington Treaty." [10] At that summit, Ukraine was invited to join the Alliance. [11]

In a December 5, 2015 "Statement by NATO Foreign Ministers on Open Door Policy" Montenegro was invited to join the alliance, and the signatories encouraged "Georgia to continue making full use of all the opportunities for coming closer to the Alliance." They remained "committed to the Open Door Policy, a founding principle of the Washington Treaty" and encouraged "partners to continue to implement the necessary reforms and decisions to prepare for membership," while they would "continue to offer political and practical support to the efforts" of the partners. [12]

At the end of November 2020, it became known that the NATO Summit in 2021 would consider a return to the open door policy, including the issue of providing Georgia with a Membership Action Plan (MAP). [13]

On February 9, 2021, the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal, stated that he hoped that Ukraine would be able to receive an action plan for NATO membership at the same time as Georgia. [14] In response, the NATO Secretary-General confirmed during Shmyhal's visit to Brussels that Ukraine is a candidate for NATO membership. [15]

On June 14, 2021, a communiqué issued at 2021 Brussels summit reaffirmed commitment to the open door policy, as well as "all elements" of the decision made at the 2008 Bucharest Summit that Georgia and Ukraine will become members of NATO. [16]

Russian invasion of Ukraine

On January 7, 2022, ahead of a bilateral meeting with Russia, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said that "Russia's unprovoked and unjustified military buildup in and around Ukraine” had serious implications for European security and stability and that Russian forces were only strengthening a noose around Ukraine. A Ukrainian official said at the time that “There should not be any compromise with Russia... They recognize only force. Weakness will provoke them... NATO must show that doors are open and promises kept.” Stoltenberg said that “The Russian military buildup has not stopped. It continues and [is] gradually building up with more forces, more capabilities,” whereupon he described armored units, artillery, combat-ready troops, electronic warfare equipment, and other military capabilities. Stoltenberg was clear that the alliance would not heed Russia's demand to withdraw the invitation for Ukraine and Georgia to join NATO—or for any country to pursue the path of its choosing. [11]

On January 28, 2022, an op-ed was published by the New York University School of Law in which the author disclosed that in two drafts of a 2021 NATO-Russia treaty, "Moscow placed the onus of averting an expanded conflict in Ukraine on the West broadly, NATO particularly, and the United States specifically. Among other stipulations, Moscow insisted that NATO's open door to new members be shut." [17]

In the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the leaders of the 30 NATO member countries held a meeting on March 24, 2022 in Brussels and one result was a statement which read in part: [18]

"Massive sanctions and heavy political costs have been imposed on Russia to bring an end to this war. We remain determined to maintain coordinated international pressure on Russia... We remain committed to the foundational principles underpinning European and global security, including that each nation has the right to choose its own security arrangements free from outside interference. We reaffirm our commitment to NATO's Open Door Policy under Article 10 of the Washington Treaty... We will continue to take all necessary steps to protect and defend the security of our Allied populations and every inch of Allied territory... We are also establishing four additional multinational battlegroups in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia... President Putin's choice to attack Ukraine is a strategic mistake, with grave consequences also for Russia and the Russian people."

Turkey's opposition to Finnish and Swedish accession bids

In May 2022, Turkey announced that while fully supporting NATO's open door policy, it opposed the memberships of Finland and Sweden for allegedly supporting terrorism. [19] On May 18, 2022, Turkey blocked the start of accession negotiations for Finland and Sweden to NATO. [20] On June 28, 2022, during the NATO summit in Madrid, a tripartite memorandum was signed between Finland, Sweden and Turkey, paving the way for accession negotiations with Finland and Sweden to join NATO. [21] On the same day, Turkey agreed to support the accession bids of Finland and Sweden to NATO. [22] On March 17, 2023, Turkey withdrew its opposition to Finnish accession to NATO, enabling Finland to become the 31st NATO member state on April 4, 2023. [23] [24] On July 10, 2023, Turkey withdrew its opposition to Swedish accession to NATO, enabling Sweden to become the 32nd NATO member state on March 7, 2024. [25] [26]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NATO</span> Intergovernmental military alliance

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental transnational military alliance of 32 member states—30 European and 2 North American. Established in the aftermath of World War II, the organization implements the North Atlantic Treaty, signed in Washington, D.C., on 4 April 1949. NATO is a collective security system: its independent member states agree to defend each other against attacks by third parties. During the Cold War, NATO operated as a check on the threat posed by the Soviet Union. The alliance remained in place after the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact, and has been involved in military operations in the Balkans, the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa. The organization's motto is animus in consulendo liber. The organization's strategic concepts include deterrence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Atlantic Treaty</span> 1949 treaty forming the basis of NATO

The North Atlantic Treaty, also known as the Washington Treaty, forms the legal basis of, and is implemented by, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The treaty was signed in Washington, D.C., on 4 April 1949.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jens Stoltenberg</span> Former Prime Minister of Norway and NATO Secretary General

Jens Stoltenberg is a Norwegian politician who served as the secretary general of NATO from 2014 to 2024. A member of the Norwegian Labour Party, he was the prime minister of Norway from 2000 to 2001 and again from 2005 until 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sauli Niinistö</span> President of Finland from 2012 to 2024

Sauli Väinämö Niinistö is a Finnish politician who served as the 12th president of Finland from 2012 to 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Bucharest summit</span> 2008 NATO summit meeting in Bucharest, Romania

The 2008 Bucharest Summit or the 21st NATO Summit was a NATO summit organized in the Palace of the Parliament, Bucharest, Romania on 2 – 4 April 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Georgia–NATO relations</span> Bilateral relations

Georgia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) enjoy cordial relations. Georgia is not currently a member of NATO, but has been promised by NATO to be admitted in the future.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Enlargement of NATO</span> Collective geopolitical action by NATO states

NATO is a military alliance of thirty-two European and North American countries that constitutes a system of collective defense. The process of joining the alliance is governed by Article 10 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which allows for the invitation of "other European States" only and by subsequent agreements. Countries wishing to join must meet certain requirements and complete a multi-step process involving political dialogue and military integration. The accession process is overseen by the North Atlantic Council, NATO's governing body. NATO was formed in 1949 with twelve founding members and has added new members ten times. The first additions were Greece and Turkey in 1952. In May 1955, West Germany joined NATO, which was one of the conditions agreed to as part of the end of the country's occupation by France, the United Kingdom, and the United States, prompting the Soviet Union to form its own collective security alliance later that month. Following the end of the Franco regime, newly democratic Spain chose to join NATO in 1982.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Member states of NATO</span> An international military alliance

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is an international military alliance consisting of 32 member states from Europe and North America. It was established at the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty on 4 April 1949. Of the 32 member countries, 30 are in Europe and two are in North America. Between 1994 and 1997, wider forums for regional cooperation between NATO and its neighbours were set up, including the Partnership for Peace, the Mediterranean Dialogue initiative, and the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ukraine–NATO relations</span> Bilateral relations

Relations between Ukraine and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) started in 1991 following Ukraine's independence after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Ukraine-NATO ties gradually strengthened during the 1990s and 2000s, and Ukraine aimed to eventually join the alliance. Although co-operating with NATO, Ukraine remained a neutral country. After it was attacked by Russia in 2014, Ukraine has increasingly sought NATO membership.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Russia–NATO relations</span> Bilateral relations

Relations between the NATO military alliance and the Russian Federation were established in 1991 within the framework of the North Atlantic Cooperation Council. In 1994, Russia joined the Partnership for Peace program, and on 27 May 1997, the NATO–Russia Founding Act (NRFA) was signed at the 1997 Paris NATO Summit in France, enabling the creation of the NATO–Russia Permanent Joint Council (NRPJC). Through the early part of 2010s NATO and Russia signed several additional agreements on cooperation. The NRPJC was replaced in 2002 by the NATO-Russia Council (NRC), which was established in an effort to partner on security issues and joint projects together.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence</span> Military organization

NATO CCD COE, officially the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence, is one of NATO Centres of Excellence, located in Tallinn, Estonia. The centre was established on 14 May 2008, it received full accreditation by NATO and attained the status of International Military Organisation on 28 October 2008. NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence is an international military organisation with a mission to enhance the capability, cooperation and information sharing among NATO, its member nations and partners in cyber defence by virtue of education, research and development, lessons learned and consultation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moldova–NATO relations</span> Bilateral relations

Official relations between Moldova and NATO began in 1992 when Moldova joined the North Atlantic Cooperation Council. However, as Moldova's neutrality is enshrined in its constitution, there are no official plans for Moldova to join the organization.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foreign relations of NATO</span> Overview of multilateral relations

NATO maintains foreign relations with many non-member countries across the globe. NATO runs a number of programs which provide a framework for the partnerships between itself and these non-member nations, typically based on that country's location. These include the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council and the Partnership for Peace.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Finland–NATO relations</span> Bilateral relations

Finland has been a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) since 4 April 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Madrid summit</span> 2022 NATO summit meeting in Spain

The 2022 Madrid summit was 31st summit of the heads of state and heads of government of the thirty members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), their partner countries, and the European Union, held in Madrid, Spain, on 29–30 June 2022. Spain previously hosted a NATO Summit in 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sweden–NATO relations</span> Bilateral relations

Sweden has been a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) since 7 March 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turkey in NATO</span> Bilateral relations

Turkey has been a member of NATO since 1952, has its second largest army and is the host of the Allied Land Command headquarters. The Incirlik and Konya Airbases have both been involved in several NATO military operations since their establishment. The current ambassador to NATO is Zeki Levent Gümrükçü.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Austria–NATO relations</span> Bilateral relations

Austria and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) have a close relationship. Austria with Ireland, Cyprus and Malta are the only members of the European Union that are not members of NATO. Austria has had formal relations with NATO since 1995, when it joined the Partnership for Peace programme.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Vilnius summit</span> NATO diplomatic conference in Lithuania

The 2023 Vilnius summit was the 32nd formal meeting of the heads of state and heads of government of the thirty-one members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), their partner countries, and the European Union, held in Vilnius, Lithuania, on 11–12 July 2023. The summit was officially proposed during the previous 2022 Madrid summit and its dates were fixed on 9 November 2022. It was notable for the discussions about the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine as well as Sweden and Ukraine's prospective memberships into the alliance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 Washington summit</span> NATO diplomatic conference in Washington, DC

The 2024 Washington summit was the 33rd summit of the heads of state and government of the thirty-two members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), their partner countries and the European Union (EU), which took place in Washington, D.C., United States, on 9–11 July 2024. The summit commemorates the landmark 75th anniversary of NATO, which was founded on 4 April 1949 with the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington, DC. The summit was also the fourth NATO summit to be held in the United States following the 1978 Washington summit, 1999 Washington summit and 2012 Chicago summit. It also marks the first summit since Sweden acceded to NATO and the last for Jens Stoltenberg as Secretary General.

References

  1. ↑ "NATO's Open Door Policy" (PDF). NATO. April 1999. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-05-12. Retrieved 2022-05-07.
  2. ↑ "Enlargement and Article 10". NATO. 3 May 2022. Archived from the original on 9 June 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  3. ↑ NATO. "Enlargement and Article 10". NATO. Retrieved 2024-01-23.
  4. ↑ Grzegorz Kozłowski (22 April 2019). "Yesterday". International Centre for Defence and Security. Archived from the original on 12 March 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  5. ↑ Elaine Sciolino (6 December 1994). "Yeltsin Says NATO is Trying to Split Continent Again". New York Times. Archived from the original on 14 August 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  6. ↑ https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/putin-says-russia-asked-to-join-nato-but-was-refused-by-president-clinton/ar-BB1i8jBx [ bare URL ]
  7. ↑ Perlez, Jane (1999-03-13). "EXPANDING ALLIANCE: THE OVERVIEW; Poland, Hungary and the Czechs Join NATO". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  8. ↑ "NATO Update: Seven new members join NATO - 29 March 2004". www.nato.int. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  9. ↑ Thomas E. Ricks (30 March 2004). "7 Former Communist Countries Join NATO". Washington Post. Archived from the original on 9 January 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
  10. ↑ "NATO decisions on open-door policy". NATO. 3 April 2008. Archived from the original on 7 May 2022. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  11. 1 2 Mahshie, Abraham (7 January 2022). "Stoltenberg: NATO's Open-Door Policy Must Stay; Risk of Conflict in Europe 'Is Real'". Air & Space Forces Association. Air Force Magazine. Archived from the original on 7 May 2022. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  12. ↑ "Statement by NATO Foreign Ministers on Open Door Policy". NATO. 2 December 2015. Archived from the original on 17 May 2022. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  13. ↑ "У 2021 році НАТО розгляне питання ПДЧ для Грузії". 13 December 2020. Archived from the original on 2020-12-13. Retrieved 2022-05-07.
  14. ↑ "Україна хоче отримати ПДЧ разом із Грузією – Шмигаль" [Ukraine wants to get a MAP together with Georgia – Shmyhal]. Українська правда. Archived from the original on 2021-02-26. Retrieved 2022-05-07.
  15. ↑ "Кабінет Міністрів України – Прем'єр-міністр та Генсек НАТО обговорили подальші кроки на шляху євроатлантичної інтеграції України" [Prime Minister and NATO Secretary General discuss further steps towards Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration]. Archived from the original on 2022-05-15. Retrieved 2022-05-07.
  16. ↑ "Brussels Summit Communiqué". NATO. 14 June 2021. paras. 66, 68, 69. Archived from the original on 21 February 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  17. ↑ Keil, Steven (28 January 2022). "Putin's Coercion on NATO Goes Beyond Its Open Door Policy". Reiss Center on Law and Security at New York University School of Law. Just Security. Archived from the original on 10 May 2022. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  18. ↑ "Statement by NATO Heads of State and Government". NATO. 24 March 2022. Archived from the original on 26 March 2022. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  19. ↑ "Dışişleri Bakanı Çavuşoğlu: Türkiye, NATO'nun açık kapı politikasını daima desteklemiştir". Cumhuriyet (in Turkish). May 18, 2022. Archived from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  20. ↑ Rauhala, Emily (2022-05-18). "Turkey blocks start of NATO talks on Finland's and Sweden's applications". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2024-04-28. Retrieved 2024-04-28.
  21. ↑ "Finnish President Niinisto says Turkey has agreed to back Finnish and Swedish NATO membership". Reuters. 2022-06-28. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
  22. ↑ Wright, George (2022-06-29). "Turkey supports Finland and Sweden Nato bid". BBC News.
  23. ↑ "Turkey's Erdogan seals deal on Finland joining Nato". BBC News. 17 March 2023. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023.
  24. ↑ "Finland joins NATO as 31st Ally". NATO. 4 April 2023. Archived from the original on 11 July 2023.
  25. ↑ "NATO Secretary General welcomes Türkiye's decision to forward Sweden accession protocols to parliament, looks forward to speedy ratification". NATO. 10 July 2023. Archived from the original on 10 July 2023.
  26. ↑ "Sweden officially joins NATO, ending decades of post-World War II neutrality". AP News. 2024-03-07. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.