POLITICAL STRUCTURE

Like any alliance, NATO is ultimately governed by its 28 member states. However, the North Atlantic Treaty, and other agreements, outline how decisions are to be made within NATO. Each of the 28 members sends a delegation or mission to NATO’s headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. The senior permanent member of each delegation is known as the Permanent Representative and is generally a senior civil servant or an experienced ambassador (and holding that diplomatic rank).

Together the Permanent Members form the North Atlantic Council (NAC), a body which meets together at least once a week and has effective political authority and powers of decision in NATO. From time to time the Council also meets at higher levels involving Foreign Ministers, Defence Ministers or Heads of Government and it is at these meetings that major decisions regarding NATO’s policies are generally taken. However, it is worth noting that the Council has the same authority and powers of decision-making, and its decisions have the same status and validity, at whatever level it meets.

The meetings of the North Atlantic Council are chaired by the Secretary General of NATO and, when decisions have to be made, action is agreed upon on the basis of unanimity and common accord. There is no voting or decision by majority. Each nation represented at the Council table or on any of its subordinate committees retains complete sovereignty and responsibility for its own decisions.

1. Who can be the Permanent Representative?

2. Who forms the North Atlantic Council?

3. What is the function of the Council?

4. Who runs the meetings of the Council?

5.	Complete the speech bubbles

1. Like any alliance, NATO is __________ governed by its 28 member states. However, the North Atlantic Treaty, and other agreements, __________ how decisions are to be made within NATO. 2. The senior permanent member of each __________ is known as the Permanent Representative and is generally a senior civil servant or an experienced __________. 3. Together the Permanent Members form the __________ (NAC), a body which meets together at least once a week and has effective political __________ and powers of decision in NATO. 4. Each nation represented at the Council table or on any of its __________ committees __________ complete __________ and responsibility for its own decisions.

6.	Translate words and word combinations into English

Senior civil servant, experienced ambassador, effective political authority, powers of decision-making, validity, meetings are chaired, unanimity, common accord.