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North Atlantic
Treaty Washington D.C.,
4th April, 1949
The Parties to this Treaty reaffirm their faith in the
purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and their
desire to live in peace with all peoples and all governments.
They are determined to safeguard the freedom, common heritage
and civilisation of their peoples, founded on the principles of democracy,
individual liberty and the rule of law.
They seek to promote stability and well-being in the North
Atlantic area.
They are resolved to unite their efforts for collective defence and for
the preservation of peace and security.
They therefore agree to this North Atlantic Treaty:
Article
1
The Parties undertake, as set forth in the Charter of the
United Nations, to settle any international dispute in which they may
be involved by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace
and security and justice are not endangered, and to refrain in their international
relations from the threat or use of force in any manner inconsistent with
the purposes of the United Nations.
Article
2
The Parties will contribute toward the further development
of peaceful and friendly international relations by strengthening their
free institutions, by bringing about a better understanding of the principles
upon which these institutions are founded, and by promoting conditions
of stability and well-being. They will seek to eliminate conflict in their
international economic policies and will encourage economic collaboration
between any or all of them.
Article
3
In order more effectively to achieve the objectives of this
Treaty, the Parties, separately and jointly, by means of continuous and
effective self-help and mutual aid, will maintain and develop their individual
and collective capacity to resist armed attack.
Article
4
The Parties will consult together whenever, in the opinion
of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence or security
of any of the Parties is threatened.
Article
5
The Parties agree that an armed attack against one or more
of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against
them all; and consequently they agree that, if such an armed attack occurs,
each of them, in exercise of the right of individual or collective self-defence
recognised by Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, will assist
the Party or Parties so attacked by taking forthwith, individually and
in concert with the other Parties, such action as it deems necessary,
including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security
of the North Atlantic area.
Any such armed attack and all measures taken as a result
thereof shall immediately be reported to the Security Council. Such measures
shall be terminated when the Security Council has taken the measures necessary
to restore and maintain international peace and security.
Article
6
For the purpose of Article 5 an armed attack on one or more
of the Parties is deemed to include an armed attack on the territory of
any of the Parties in Europe or North America, on the Algerian Departments
of France, on the occupation forces of any Party in Europe, on the islands
under the jurisdiction of any Party in the North Atlantic area north of
the Tropic of Cancer or on the vessels or aircraft in this area of any
of the Parties (1).
Article
7
This Treaty does not affect, and shall not be interpreted
as affecting, in any way the rights and obligations under the Charter
of the Parties which are members of the United Nations, or the primary
responsibility of the Security Council for the maintenance of international
peace and security.
Article
8
Each Party declares that none of the international engagements
now in force between it and any other of the Parties or any third State
is in conflict with the provisions of this Treaty, and undertakes not
to enter into any international engagement in conflict with this Treaty.
Article
9
The Parties hereby establish a council, on which each of
them shall be represented, to consider matters concerning the implementation
of this Treaty. The Council shall be so organized as to be able to meet
promptly at any time. The Council shall set up subsidiary bodies as may
be necessary; in particular it shall establish immediately a defence committee
which shall recommend measures for the implementation of Articles 3 and
5.
Article
10
The Parties may, by unanimous agreement, invite any other
European State in a position to further the principles of this Treaty
and to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area to accede
to this Treaty. Any State so invited may become a Party to the Treaty
by depositing its instrument of accession with the Government of the United
States of America. The Government of the United States of America will
inform each of the Parties of the deposit of each such instrument of accession.
Article
11
This Treaty shall be ratified and its provisions carried
out by the Parties in accordance with their respective constitutional
processes. The instruments of ratification shall be deposited as soon
as possible with the Government of the United States of America, which
will notify all the other signatories of each deposit. The Treaty shall
enter into force between the States which have ratified it as soon as
the ratifications of the majority of the signatories, including the ratifications
of Belgium, Canada, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom
and the United States, have been deposited and shall come into effect
with respect to other States on the date of the deposit of their ratifications.
Article
12
After the Treaty has been in force for ten years, or at
any time thereafter, the Parties shall, if any of them so requests, consult
together for the purpose of reviewing the Treaty, having regard for the
factors then affecting peace and security in the North Atlantic area,
including the development of universal as well as regional arrangements
under the Charter of the United Nations for the maintenance of international
peace and security.
Article
13
After the Treaty has been in force for twenty years, any
Party may cease to be a Party one year after its notice of denunciation
has been given to the Government of the United States of America, which
will inform the governments of the other Parties of the deposit of each
notice of denunciation.
Article
14
This Treaty, of which the English and French texts are equally
authentic, shall be deposited in the archives of the Government of the
United States of America. Duly certified copies will be transmitted by
that Government to the governments of the other signatories.
Notes:
1. Modified by the Greece-Turkey Protocol.
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