North Atlantic Council Declarations

1- Ottawa, 20 September, 1951

The peoples of the North Atlantic Community are united under the North Atlantic Treaty to preserve their freedom and to develop their common heritage of democracy, liberty and the rule of law. During the past two years, since the Treaty came into being. North Atlantic countries have joined in collective efforts for their defence. They will continue to work together closely to consolidate the North Atlantic Community. All obstacles which hinder such co-operation on an equal footing should be removed.

The persistent attempts which have been made and are being made to divide the peoples of the North Atlantic Community will fail. Those who make these attempts do not understand the nature or the strength of the close ties between the free peoples of the North Atlantic Community. The preservation of peace is the very essence of that Community, and free discussion as to how this can best be done is a source of continuing strength.

It was the threatening international situation that brought twelve nations of the North Atlantic Community formally together under the North Atlantic Treaty to create sufficient strength to preserve their freedom and liberty. A series of so-called peace offers as vague in language as they are obscure in content are made from time to time. The peoples of the North Atlantic Community will test these offers by the deeds that follow them. They will never reject any genuine move for peace, but will not be deflected from building up their defensive strength by mere empty words about peace.

The strengthening of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in the past two years has developed in the minds of the peoples a strong sense of their common interests and ideals. There is a desire within the North Atlantic Community to meet specific needs in all fields where close collaboration will advance the welfare of the Community.

One basis for the further development of the North Atlantic Community is Article 2 of the North Atlantic Treaty which states:

'The Parties will contribute towards 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.'

A clear sense of the direction in which the Community is developing should make it easier to take practical steps towards that end.

The Council has therefore decided to set up a Ministerial Committee composed of representatives from Belgium, Canada, Italy, Netherlands and Norway, to consider the further strengthening of the North Atlantic Community and especially the implementation of Article 2 of the North Atlantic Treaty.

The Committee, assisted by the Council Deputies, will, in particular consider and make recommendations to the Council on the following matters:

(a) Co-ordination and frequent consultation on foreign policy, having particular regard to steps designed to promote peace;
(b) Closer economic, financial and social co-operation, designed to promote conditions of economic stability and well-being, both during and after the present period of the defence effort, within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization or through other Agencies;
© Collaboration in the fields of culture and public information.

In these and other ways the Council will build up the inner strength of the North Atlantic Community, without duplicating the work of other international organizations which promote the same objectives.

The Council endorses the recent declaration of the Organization for European Economic Co-operation which called on all sections of the European community to increase production and play their part in the collective effort for peace and well-being.

In developing the North Atlantic Community, the Council will act in conformity with and seek to strengthen the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. It is only by the work and by the enlightened understanding of the free peoples everywhere that the cause of freedom and democracy will be upheld against any challenge.

2- Lisbon, 25 February, 1952

In the course of their discussions in Lisbon the members of the North Atlantic Council reviewed the aims of their association.

They wish once more to emphasise that this association was forged as a shield against aggression. Its first aim is peace, and the armed strength which is being built up by the united efforts of the member nations will be used only for the defence of their countries and the security of their peoples.

The plan for the build-up of defence forces for the North Atlantic Treaty area laid down by the TCC has been adopted at the present session of the Council in the belief that defensive strength will prove the best deterrent to aggression.

The Council has leamt with approval of the main provisions of the plan worked out between five of its members and the German Federal Republic for a European Defence Community. The establishment of this Community will help to promote the closer association of the Western European countries and to strengthen the defence of the North Atlantic area. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, respecting the principles on which the Community is founded, will support and co-operate with its institutions. The arrangements to govern the relationship between the two Organizations which have been approved at Lisbon will ensure that in pursuit of the common objective, the defence of the North Atlantic Treaty area, the EDC will reinforce and work within the framework of NATO.

The partnership between the nations of the North Atlantic Treaty exists not for defence alone but for enduring progress. The members of the Council look forward to the time when the main energies of their association can be less concentrated on defence and more fully devoted to co-operation in other fields, for the well-being of their peoples and the advance of human progress. Then, as now, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization will have to play its part, and to this end it has been agreed in Lisbon to strengthen its structure so that it may become a still more effective association of like-minded nations determined to maintain in peace the unity of purpose and effort achieved in the face of present dangers, and to express itself by continuous collaboration on common problems.

The understanding and sense of fellowship which the members wish to see develop between their countries cannot be achieved by governmental action alone. AH citizens can play their part in the work of uniting the peoples in one Atlantic Community which will afford, in ever increasing measure, the benefits of peace, freedom and prosperity.