Organization code
NATO
Kategorie
Organisationen
Established
4 April 1949
Headquarters
Brussels, Belgium
Members
32 member states
NATO is a military alliance of North American and European countries founded on the Washington Treaty. Its core principle is collective defence — an armed attack against one member is considered an attack against all (Article 5). Since the end of the Cold War it has expanded into crisis management and cooperative security.
To safeguard the freedom and security of all its members by political and military means, through collective defence, crisis management and cooperative security.
1949
Twelve nations signed the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington, founding NATO
1955
West Germany joined, prompting the creation of the Warsaw Pact
1991
With the Cold War over, NATO began its strategic transformation
2023-2024
Finland and Sweden acceded, bringing membership to 32
The NATO flag is a dark blue field with a white compass rose at the centre, with four white lines radiating toward the corners. The rose symbolizes the path of peace and a shared direction among allies; the blue represents the Atlantic Ocean.
Adopted
Adopted by the North Atlantic Council in October 1953
Usage note
Use of the NATO emblem and flag must follow NATO visual-identity rules and must not imply official endorsement. Commercial use requires prior NATO authorization.
