NATO: 75 years of collective security and transatlantic partnership

Translated by Benedetta Morandini

In Washington, NATO member states leaders met to celebrate the 75^th anniversary of the Atlantic Alliance, underlining the importance of a transatlantic bond and the need for close cooperation to ensure collective security. NATO, a historic defensive alliance, reaffirmed its commitment to protecting every allied territory, as outlined in Article 5 of the Washington Treaty. Recent developments regarding the alliance's expansion, such as Sweden's accession, represent a further strengthening of the alliance, which continues to support every nation's right to choose its security arrangements, confirming its "Open Door" policy.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has destabilized the Euro-Atlantic region, making Russia, like terrorism, a significant threat to Allies' security. NATO is determined to face a wide range of global threats, including strategic competition, instability, and the destabilizing actions of Iran and China. To respond to these challenges, NATO has taken measures to strengthen its deterrence and defence, supporting Ukraine in its fight for freedom and consolidating its global partnerships, as well as encouraging Allies' defence investments, which have seen a significant increase with most members reaching or exceeding the 2% of GDP threshold. These investments have enabled the Alliance to implement the largest reinforcement of collective defence in decades, modernizing its forces to address potential threats. Combat-ready forces have been deployed on NATO's eastern flank, and forward defences have been strengthened, accelerating the integration of new technologies and innovations. NATO is also enhancing integrated air and missile defence, increasing readiness and integration, and developing defence capabilities against ballistic missile threats, maintaining nuclear deterrence as a fundamental pillar of the Alliance's security. During the summit, transatlantic industrial cooperation, crucial for deterrence and defence, was also discussed, demonstrating a commitment to strengthening its status and removing barriers to defence trade and investment among Allies. National and collective resilience is essential for robust and credible defence, requiring an integrated approach among government, private sector, and civil society. In an increasingly complex and hostile global context, state and non-state actors are employing more aggressive hybrid tactics against Allies. NATO is ready to counter such threats, with particular attention to the propaganda sphere in countering disinformation and promoting cooperation with strategic partners. Regarding solidarity with Ukraine, the Alliance's firm and clear stance translates into new initiatives to provide military support and training, ensuring lasting assistance for defence and integration with NATO itself. The latter also expresses its stance on Ukraine's potential future within the Alliance, supporting its right to independently choose its security arrangements and its future without external interference: Ukraine has made significant progress in the democratic, economic, and security reforms necessary for NATO membership, which will be granted when conditions are met. In Washington, the condemnation of Russia, held responsible for the aggression against Ukraine, violator of international law, and cause of thousands of civilian casualties and severe infrastructure damage, is reiterated, calling for the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia. The Alliance will never recognize the illegal annexations of Ukrainian territories, including Crimea. Moscow's nuclear rhetoric and its increase in the use of nuclear weapons, including their deployment in Belarus, are condemned by NATO, which expresses concern over the use of chemical weapons against Ukrainian forces. The Alliance is determined to counter Russia's aggressive actions and will develop a strategy in this regard for the next Summit, while sabotage and cyber-attacks are carried out to counter hybrid threats: the fight against terrorism remains crucial for NATO's collective defence, which has updated guidelines and action plans to counter such phenomena. Although NATO explicitly condemns all forms of support for Russian aggression, denouncing North Korea, Iran, and Belarus, a special mention is reserved for China, described as a fundamental actor in supporting Russia given the surge in exports of sanctioned goods. Furthermore, China's activities in cyberspace and space, as well as the expansion of its nuclear arsenal, are of concern to NATO, which nevertheless remains open to dialogue with Beijing. Given the strategic importance of NATO's partnerships, fundamental for global stability and respect for international law, the Alliance will strengthen political and practical cooperation with partners: cooperation with the European Union has reached unprecedented levels, especially in the context of the war in Ukraine, and is expected to continue strengthening. Additionally, NATO will engage in dialogue with leaders from Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea to address common challenges and enhance cooperation. The Western Balkans and Black Sea regions remain of fundamental strategic importance for the Alliance, which supports the countries concerned in their Euro-Atlantic integration path and aims to strengthen security and stability in the Middle East and Africa through partnerships, with a specific action plan for the southern neighbourhood. Finally, in the Summit declaration issued by the participating heads of state in Washington, it is mentioned that technological transformation and the integration of climate change considerations are priorities for NATO, which intends to maintain technological advantage and ensure energy security. NATO renews its commitment to the integration of gender policies and human security, honouring those who work for collective security and remembering those who have sacrificed their lives to protect freedom and democracy.

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