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Chapter 16: Parliamentary and Non-Governmental Organisations The Atlantic Treaty Association (ATA) The Atlantic Treaty Association created on 18 June 1954, brings together, as Members, national voluntary and non-governmental organisations in each of the Alliance's 19 member states to support the activities of NATO and promote the objectives of the North Atlantic Treaty. Since the beginning of the 90's, the ATA regularly admits, as Associate Members, national voluntary and non-governmental organisations established in NATO's Partner countries. There are currently 18 associations which are Associate Members. In accordance with the constitution of the ATA, Associate Members may become full members of the Association when their countries become members of NATO and when their new position has been recognised by the ATA Assembly upon the proposal of the ATA Council. Since 1999, following the amendment of the constitution, the ATA Assembly may also, on proposal by the Council, grant the position of Observer Member to non-governmental organisations created in the countries participating in NATO's Mediterranean Dialogue or in those which are directly or geographically concerned with Euro-Atlantic security problems, even if they have not signed Partnership for Peace agreements 1. The objectives of the ATA and of its affiliated national organisations are : to inform the public concerning the missions and responsibilities of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation; to conduct research into the various purposes and activities of NATO and their extension to countries of Central and Eastern Europe as well as the furtherance of NATO's Mediterranean Dialogue; to promote the solidarity of the people of the North Atlantic area and of those whose countries participate in NATO's Partnership for Peace Programme; to promote democracy; to develop cooperation between all its member organisations in order to promote the above objectives. During its Assembly held in October-November 2000 in Budapest, the ATA admited the Alliance for Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina as its first Observer Member association.