Eng. / Fr. / Ru. /Representatives of all member countries of NATO have a seat at the North Atlantic Council (NAC). It can meet at the level of Permanent Representatives (or Ambassadors), at the level of Foreign and Defence Ministers, and at the level of Heads of State and Government. It is chaired by the Secretary General.
In the absence of the Secretary General, the Deputy Secretary General chairs the meetings. The longest serving Ambassador on the Council assumes the title of Dean of the Council. Primarily a ceremonial function, the Dean may be called upon to play a more specific presiding role, for example in convening meetings and chairing discussions at the time of the selection of a new Secretary General. At ministerial meetings of Foreign Ministers, one country's Foreign Minister assumes the role of Honorary President. The position rotates annually among members in the order of the English alphabet.
The Ambassadors sit round the table in order of nationality, following the English alphabetical order. The same procedure is followed throughout the NATO committee structure.
