The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit is taking place in Vilnius, Lithuania from 11 to 12 July 2023. The summit is considered crucial as it could shape the direction of the war in Ukraine and the future of the Western alliance.
- The 31 NATO allies aim to demonstrate to Russia their commitment to long-term military support for Ukraine.
- Turkey’s objections to Sweden joining the alliance have been dropped, providing a boost to NATO.
- There is disagreement among NATO leaders regarding Ukraine’s aspirations for future membership.
- Nato Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, expects unity and a strong message on Ukraine but states that no final decision has been made on the language of the final communiqué.
- NATO leaders are expected to agree on new plans to deter and defend against future Russian aggression by strengthening forces in the eastern region.
NATO : Member Countries and HQ
- NATO was established by the North Atlantic Treaty in 1949 to counterbalance Soviet armies in central and eastern Europe after World War II.
- NATO’s original members were Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
- Over the years, additional countries have joined NATO, including Germany, Spain, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Albania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Finland.
- NATO’s main headquarters are in Brussels, Belgium, while its military headquarters are near Mons, Belgium.
Q.: What is the full form of NATO?
A) North American Treaty Organization
B) North Atlantic Treaty Organization
C) North African Treaty Organization
D) North Asian Treaty Organization
Ans : B) North Atlantic Treaty Organization